The recent University Student Union referendum vote turned attention to the cost of getting an education at The Beach. This is a good thing. But, some misinformation was shared in the mix of discussions and writing.
Informed debate is a cornerstone of an outstanding education, so I’d like to put the facts in front of our Beach community for careful review. As Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
I want especially to separate the USU referendum from the Student Excellence Fund discussion.
- First, Student Excellence Fund information is publicly available on our website at http://web.csulb.edu/about/budgetcentral/funddetail2.htm. I encourage you to visit the site for a comprehensive list of how the fund is used.
The SEF generates about $12 million dollars per year and supports critical elements of a California State University, Long Beach education, including: advising, degree initiatives, academic support programs, orientation, expanded student health services, student centers, financial literacy programs, UPASS and free student shuttles, student technology services, lab facilities and intercollegiate athletics, to name a few.
Student leaders have been proactive in seeking oversight in the use of these funds. The university Vice Presidents and Athletic Director have adjusted their planning and decision-making processes to ensure the student voice is heard at all times and at every level.
For example, students will be involved in SEF allocation discussions in their colleges and the athletic department as well as at the university level. This is a significant change.
Without the SEF, the campus would have lost about twenty academic advisors due to serious budget cuts in the recent past. The SEF is not used to cover faculty costs of instruction. The schedule of classes is fully funded by other university revenues. No classes have been cut in recent years due to inadequate budget resources, although some have been cut due to low enrollments.
- Second, we are nationally recognized for graduating students with some of the lowest debt of any U.S. university. According to the 2013 Project on Student Debt, 43 percent of CSULB bachelor’s degree recipients graduated with student debt averaging $13,386. This is less than California figures, which showed that 55 percent of students graduated with $20,340 debt, and much less than national figures: 69 percent graduating with $28,400 debt.
Despite fees, the cost of a CSULB education is significantly lower than the average of public four-year colleges across the nation. The university awards about $100 million each year in state and federal financial aid. Almost half our students pay no tuition because of the income status of their families.
- Third, the student referendum that failed to support a USU fee is completely separate from the SEF. They should not be conflated. While it is true that our student union is beautiful, please consider how this student-owned facility will be kept functional. The university frequently has to make investments in invisible projects that keep water flowing and lights on. These are necessary costs associated with having an aging physical plant.
While I certainly support the student referendum decision, I hope those who care about the USU today and in the years to come will develop an alternative plan that keeps the building working for future generations of students.
- Finally, in California and many other states, decision makers are withdrawing support for public higher education. This is a great danger because the U.S. needs well-educated and engaged citizens who value diversity, equity, and hard work.
I am sympathetic to tax payers and students who say, “Enough!” I urge them and you to consider the fact that we prepare the educators, artists, engineers, political leaders, entrepreneurs, health care providers, historians, archaeologists, economists and so on who contribute to the public good.
Student fees may seem to be only a private burden, but they are really investments in the well being of our entire state and nation. The university continues to advocate strongly for greater public support. Join in that advocacy. I believe that funding public education is the best of all possible investments.
Your advocacy may convince decision makers that state expenditures for higher education are in everyone’s best interest.
Go Beach