The midyear budget proposal recently released by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for $332.2 million in midyear cuts to the state's community colleges. This cut would come on top of the $290 million reduction included in the recently enacted 2008-09 state budget. This proposal translates to $5 million to $6 million in cuts on top of nearly $3 million in cuts already absorbed at LBCC. This means that, despite very conservative fiscal policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the courses that your student -- or out-of-work neighbor -- needs may not be available locally.
These cuts come at the worst possible time for community colleges -- and the people of California. The economic downturn translates into huge financial and job losses for our state and local economy. The incipient recession has created a flood of displaced workers seeking to upgrade their job skills. California's unemployment rate has risen to 8.2 percent. Thousands of people are out of work and trying to upgrade their skills so they can get back into the work force. The demand will increase further because of recent announcements by the University of California and California State University systems that they will reduce access to their institutions. Already community colleges are serving 100,000 more students this year than they are being paid to educate.
California's community colleges are also the only system of higher education in the state whose mission is to provide economic and work force development. Community colleges are open to anyone who wants an education. No other system is ready to fill these needs.
Simply put, hard economic times are the worst time to cut our community colleges. Here are some facts to consider:
Community colleges are the key to California's economic recovery. As the largest provider of work force training in California, community colleges offer more than 175 degree and certificate programs in hundreds of vocational fields such as nursing, business and computer science to name a few. Our short-term vocational programs prepare students for new careers in good-paying jobs in a matter of months. With statewide unemployment rising, displaced workers must have access to job training to return to the work force.
The proposed $332.2 million reduction would force the community colleges to turn away more than 260,000 students. To put this in perspective: This cut affects the same number of students as closing the entire University of California system -- all 10 campuses. Such a massive reduction in work force training would be a tremendous blow to California as the state wrestles with an economic crisis of historic proportions.
Community colleges generate enormous benefits to the state's economy. Students earning a degree or certificate from a California community college increase their earnings by 63 percent in three years. For every dollar that California invests to get students in and through college, the state's economy receives a $3 return on investment as graduates earn better wages.
The sheer enormity of the state's fiscal crisis will force many difficult choices and it is clear that we are in for several years of challenging budget times. But California's community colleges are a vital part of the state's economic engine -- one that should not be reduced when needed most. Long Beach City College, and community colleges around the state, are providing the California economy with the skilled workers it needs to compete.
The LBCCD Board of Trustees, the president and the entire LBCC community are united in our efforts to protect this community's access to the classes and services that our displaced workers and other students need to improve their skills and to get back to work.
But our efforts will fall short without your support. We urge every member of this community to contact their elected state leaders in the Assembly and Senate and explain to them that, in this time of economic turmoil, community colleges can lead us to more jobs and prosperity. Now, more than ever, is the time to provide the economic and work force development courses that are only available at Long Beach City and other community colleges.
Jeff Kellogg is president of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees. Doug Otto is a member of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees.