The CSU faces budget cuts of $584 million, which threaten San Diego State’s commitment to quality and access. Even with the Board of Trustees recent approval of an additional 20 percent fee increase, SDSU’s share of these cuts is $35 million. The extent of these cuts is unprecedented. State budget cuts will impact each of us and reduce our ability to serve students and our community. This is unfair and unfortunate – but it is the reality we face. Unwelcome and destructive as these cuts are; they are not unanticipated. The President’s Budget Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the Senate and the Committee on Academic Resource Planning, has been working since the middle of last year to minimize the impact of these cuts. Now they are upon us.

It is important to know, SDSU uses a shared governance process to review and discuss budget issues. Shared governance is a commitment to an inclusionary, transparent process of decision-making. All constituent groups on campus are represented and have a voice in our Senate and on the President’s Budget Advisory Committee. This includes students, faculty, staff and the SDSU administration.

As SDSU addresses its share of the budget reductions, our Senate-endorsed priorities include: 1) protecting the quality of education, 2) providing the courses students need to progress to graduation; and 3) preserving jobs. As I recently said during a meeting with the California Faculty Association, there are no unimportant people at San Diego State. People are SDSU’s most valued resource.

The budgetary responses being taken at San Diego State, and throughout the CSU system, are painful for us all. These actions include fee increases, decreasing our enrollment, bargaining unit approved furloughs, personnel reductions and reductions in discretionary expenses such as travel, equipment purchases, general supplies and services. There is no single solution to a problem of this magnitude. There is no easy solution. While painful and debilitating, these actions provide the best opportunity for a speedy recovery.

The situation is still evolving rapidly. We are moving into uncharted territory. Over the next few days and weeks, we will provide additional details. Updated information is also available on the SDSU Budget Central Web site.

In recognition of reduced budgets, furloughs and possible personnel reductions, each employee should confer with his or her supervisor to re-confirm your job priorities. The current budget situation will create challenges, but SDSU remains committed to serving our students and the community. I’m sure some of you, like me, are concerned to see the quality of our university threatened by the state’s current fiscal crisis. You are right to be concerned. Our work is important. It is human growth and development that is being set back because our state is unable to manage its affairs. Remember, this fiscal quagmire has nothing to do with the quality of our work or the effectiveness of our efforts. I am truly proud of what we have accomplished together.

We know we will eventually emerge from the current budget crisis. We also know the educational needs of the people we serve are not diminishing. I thank you for your continued support and confidence in San Diego State University.

Watch the video.