Yuba’s Budget Crunch

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed a 10percent decrease in funding for the 2008-2009fiscal year to minimize California’s 14.5 billion dollar deficit. Cuts will be made in all areas of the state budget, including AIDS research, highway maintenance, and the educational budget. Many Yuba College programs will experience a decrease in funding next semester. The Yuba Community College District will scale back the Educational Opportunity Programs and Services (EOP&S) if it has insufficient funding. If this happens, the EOP&S program will be forced to limit the number of services and scholarships, available for students. Additionally, the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) will be cut 3 to 5 percent. According to DSPS District Director Jan Ponticelli, this is because “DSPS is under the weight of the law.” Other services, says Ponticelli, will not be affected. “[Yuba College] is obligated to keep students with disabilities at a level equal to their peers.” This means sign language interpreters and brail services will be spared. Also, programs like the College Success Center will not see a decrease in funding because the money theyreceive is linked to the number of students who attend drop-in tutoring sessions. According to Dr. Nicki Harrington, students at Yuba College students shouldn’t worry too much about the budget cuts: “If I could tell the student body one thing about the upcoming budget changes, it would be that if tuition fees go up next semester, it would only be by a few dollars a unit.” Yuba College is not going to layoff any teachers either. The school is prepared to supplementtheir wages in case of budget cuts. The governor’s budget plan is still only a proposal. After the State Senate and StateAssembly produce their own budget proposals,probably in May, representatives from bothhouses are scheduled to meet with Gov.Schwarzenegger and negotiate a budget plan.Dr. Harrington says that the budget shouldbe expected in late July or August.