For a deeper understanding please read:CSU(B)roke: How CSUB’s $12 million deficit is impacting the campus – The Runner

As Cal State Bakersfield approaches the 2025-26 academic year, it must reconcile a disastrous deficit that will impact the local campus in ways not yet fully grasped by the university.

As of December 2024, CSUB faced three possible budget outcomes: good, bad and catastrophic. School officials now know which one to expect, according to Interim Chief Financial Officer Kristen Watson: “the worst one.”

“That’s what we are in the process of doing right now,” Watson said. “We are proactively looking at what our ‘25-26 budget will look like and we still have a little bit of time, but the clock is ticking.”

On Jan. 17, CSUB President Vernon Harper detailed the painful budgetary reality, made necessary by the devastating state budget put toward last month by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The governor’s budget proposes total funding of $45.1 billion for the three higher education segments – CSU, the University of California and California Community Colleges – and the California Student Aid Commission. 

The CSU urged the state to avoid cutting its base funding and not withhold money that was promised in the system’s previous agreement with the Newsom administration. Under Newsom’s multiyear compact agreement, first announced in 2022, CSU’s were to receive 5% annual budget increases in exchange for increased enrollment and graduation rates. With the cut funding, according to the CSU, it is going to be challenging to achieve these goals. CSU’s officials estimated a 7.95% cut equivalent to what is needed to serve more than 36,000 full time students.

The General Fund Allocation for the 2025-26 school year is $160 million. Minus the budget cut and 5% annual budget increase the school is left with a deficit of $12.7 million. 

The CSU Operating Budget Request argues the impact on students would be particularly severe, as these cuts would jeopardize vital services that support their academic success and overall well-being. 

Vital services could include but are not limited to student retention, basic needs, academic and counseling support, meaning reduced class offerings and larger class sizes. According to the Chancellor’s Office, fewer academic support tools would undermine the university’s mission. 

What does this mean for CSUB?

Despite the ongoing effects of the financial deficit, resulting in the capture of vacant positions and a soft hiring freeze; the president’s office has created committees as well as promoted individuals to vice presidents, sparking questions about the priorities of the university. 

“The new positions on the President’s Cabinet reflect Dr. Harper’s vision for the future, to become Kern County’s University,” wrote Watson. “We have worked very hard to ensure that the financial impact of these changes is minimal.”  

Watson explained they would like for all divisions to share proportionally.

Each of those divisions– academic affairs, student affairs, office of the president, business, administrative services and university advancement– will have a portion of the general fund allocation they receive and will share the budget reduction. Distributing the funds across evenly within all the programs minimizes the impact on a single one, Watson explained.

CSUB’s athletic department has been marked safe from recent budget cuts, unlike Sonoma State University which eliminated its entire athletics department. The difference between the universities is that CSUB competes in Division I while Sonoma State competes in Division II. “At this point we don’t anticipate cutting athletics at all,” Watson stated. 

The largest percentage of the budget is spent on salaries, benefits and payroll taxes, she said. 

Watson emphasized the importance of managing staffing effectively and efficiently and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to providing the best educational experience for students, adding “students are the center of everything.” She described the situation as a “challenging budget-balancing act,” further noting the need to become efficient and meet budget requirements without affecting the students. 

She has identified three key priorities she hopes to accomplish in the new position. 

• Balanced Budget: She aims to provide a fiscally responsible budget and still meets the needs of the student population.

• Shifting the University Culture: She plans to adopt a forward thinking approach. Saying “yes” more often than saying “no” to future partnerships or initiatives, ensuring the university has resources to make a meaningful impact.
• Transparency: She is committed to creating a culture of transparency. Allowing university stakeholders both internal and external communities of the campus with a clearview of the budget and how resources are allocated. 

ASI Speaks Out  

Amid ongoing budget challenges at CSUB, ASI President Erin Pruitt is focusing on key issues affecting students, including course enrollment, graduation rates and tuition increases. 

Last semester there were conversations about the implementation of metropolitan meal cards. As of today ASI has not been informed about the implementation or current status, she wrote in an email. 

Pruitt emphasizes the importance for students to be aware of any course or activities that may be limited or cut due to the budget deficit and encourages students to get involved in budget forums and discussions.

“Our voices are impactful, and action is taken when we physically show up,” wrote Pruitt.

Pruitt is committed to shedding light on student concerns, particularly regarding the impact of tuition increase, larger class sizes, and limited course availability. 

To further amplify student voices ASI representatives are preparing to travel to Sacramento and Washington D.C. to advocate for ‘Runners on a state and federal level, according to Pruitt.

 CFA Voices Concerns

 The California Faculty Association provides insights on the financial challenges that are affecting faculty and their ability to deliver quality education. 

Dr. Tracey Salisbury, the department chair of Ethnic Studies and CFA Chapter President for the campus, highlighted the distinction between profit and budget. 

Salisbury questioned why the university’s surplus funds aren’t being used to address the deficit.

She made it clear that CFA intends to fight and organize to make the governor take back some of these cutbacks.

“The priority is the students,” said Salisbury. 

Communication and transparency is repeatedly stressed to move forward during this deficit, said Salisbury. CFA, the Academic Senate and the faculty at large continue to raise questions.

The Spring Budget Forum is scheduled for Monday, March 17. Students are encouraged to attend, get involved and participate in any capacity to understand the importance of the financial deficit. 

According to Watson, the finalization of the 2025-26 budget will depend on the approval from the governor and legislature, which is expected in late June or July 2025.