New Budget (2010-2011) restores hope

The California State University announced the states new budget for the term of 2010-2011.

The 2010-2011 California state budget will restore $199 million to the California State University and provide an additional $60.6 million for enrollment growth.

The final budget will increase the system's General Fund support from $2.35 billion (2009-2010) to $2.62 billion. An increase hasn't been made since 2007, restoring hope in higher education.

In a press release CSULB President F. King Alexander said, “These additional funds which restore about 30 percent of the budget reductions that we have been forced to endure recently are very much welcomed, especially in light of the fact that California faced a $19 billion fiscal deficit.”

Students around campus are suggesting where the funds should be used.

Karen Rodriguez, nursing major said, “I think that the state should come up with a solution to lower the cost of tuition, for those who don't qualify for financial aid.”

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Textbook prices are sky high

CSULB student body, resort to online websites to purchase books due to high prices on campus.

Every semester students meticulously scan their textbook list, and head out to the student bookstore. For the student body at CSULB, the student bookstore has become a painful experience, leaving them with a hole in their pocket and a bitter taste.

Over the past years students spending on course materials have increased, according to the National Association of College Store, “students report spending an average of $667 on required course materials.”

Fewer students are purchasing their books at the student bookstore and complaints of exploitative prices are making students look for other ways to save money.

Jewel Thompson, health science major, said, “Textbook prices continue to go up, it's ridiculous they are ripping students off.”

Students are resorting to websites like Amazon and Half.com to find textbooks at a lower cost, making these websites convenient, efficient, and popular among students.

Data Collected by Vivian Aguirre

50 CSULB students were asked, where they were purchasing their textbooks from. 

Results: 28-Online, 17-Student Book Store and 5-other locations.

Economy Affects College Students

CSULB students continue to be affected by the declining economy and increased student fees.

A year ago the CSU Board of Trustees increased student fees for 2009-2010, as part of an overall plan to address the massive $584 million budget deficit. Earlier in the year a 5 percent increase in tuition was announced, making students jaws drop to the floor.

The struggling U.S. economy is affecting students nationally, but closer to home CSULB, undocumented students or also known as AB540 students are dealing with financial difficulties, lack of adequate financial aid and struggling to make ends meads.

Eliana Quintero, a sociology major, is dealing with the financial strain to continue her journey in pursuing higher education.

"Its frustrating to be in this situation, I don't qualify for financial aid so every semester, my family and I struggle to complete tuition payments," she said. 

"My parents are street vendors, so money is limited in my house. Sometimes, I cry out of frustration trying to figure out paying for school," Quintero added.

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Budget looking up

CSULB will re-open spring enrollment for prospective students this upcoming February.

After the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided an increase in educational fund on a national level by approximately $224 billion, educational funds were designated towards the recovery of the CSU system budget and improve the education of millions of students. 

The CSU system received an installment of $106 million awarded by the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund on Sept. 16, 2010, which has enabled CSULB to open spring enrollment.

Mary Stephens, Vice President for Administration and Finance, said, “We are very pleased that we are able to take more students for the upcoming semester.”

The funds will allow CSULB administration to stretch and improve the budget while evaluating and distributing the funds where most needed.


“Our first priority is always the classroom. The funds will be used towards equipment, adding additional classes to accommodate those who are enrolling next spring, and increase the amount of advising,” Stephens added. 














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