Under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2025-26 budget, California State University (CSU) face a $375 million funding cut, which equates to a 7.95 percent reduction from this year’s budget.
This would leave little to no funds for student services, mental health, basic needs, employee pay, and infrastructure projects.
Certain CSUs are facing enrollment issues, for example, Sonoma State University has cut its athletic department to save $3.7 million.
The Division II school will see enrollment impacts, with the school saying it would still honor athletic scholarships. One of Delta’s top transfer schools is Sacramento State. Students could seek alternate pathways if the cuts deepen and essential programs see cuts.
Not only are athletics affected, if passed this can also give the universities excuses to cut faculty.
The University of California schools will be impacted too, it’s facing a $271 million reduction.
Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler said Delta has yet to review the CSU budget cuts and their potential impact on transfers.
“We know that 893 Delta College students transferred to the CSU system in 2023-24. Anything that might hinder the process of community college students as they continue their education is a concern for us,” Breitler said. “Delta college counselors will continue to work hard to give students the best possible information on transfer opportunities not only to CSU but to all public and private four-year universities.”
Certain students who have worked toward the CSU transfer requirements are scared about continuing the requirements and are hoping the proposal will be rejected because they say CSUs already have budgeting issues.
One of those students is business major Dominic Grissom.
“I’m supposed to graduate soon with the CSU transfer pathway so I’m worried for sure because I feel CSUs already don’t have enough money compared to UC and private schools so I’m hoping people reject Newsom’s proposal,” Grissom said.
When informed that UC schools can also be affected Grissom said he may look at out-of-state universities.
“If this is passed the CSUs will get desperate and cut anything that means they can fit their budgets which sucks for the students and teachers. I heard of Sonoma cutting classes for certain majors and that would just be terrible if it goes through.”
First-year student Kai Williamson also has second thoughts about the transfer.
“I will probably go out of state now but I’m keeping my options open I feel the cuts will go through because it has the Governor’s support and it will lead to dysfunction within the CSU system because they need money like every entity in the state,”
CSU leaders say the cuts can be “tragic,” and they plan to fight this and make sure this budget proposal is declined, according to CSU Chandler Mildred García.
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