UNLV, MPC, Next CSUMB?

With the recession still in full force, cuts in spending are affecting everyone. Pink slips are affecting teachers of all calibers; even teachers with tenure which supposedly secures their teaching positions are getting the infamous pink papers. According to Governor Jerry Brown's budget plan, $6.3 billion could be cut from education. That includes the $1.6 billion for higher education and $5.2 billion from K-14 education. Education is going to receive the biggest hit from the Governor's proposed budget plan, education does get the most federal funding which is why government feel this be the smartest choice for fund reduction.

According to Las Vegas Review-Journal UNLV is facing real cuts that could potentially take cut off 33 degree programs at the school. Some departments were completely eliminated while others being combined with other departments. Along with programs being cut, 315 faculties are receiving pink slips. The school has to cut $47.5 million over the next two years, which leaves a lasting impact to the schools overall budget. Although some would like to think that the situation at UNLV might not be a local possibility, it has already happened at the local community college MPC.

The MPC board of trustees voted to give pink slips to 12 faculty members, since many of the faculty are heads of their departments, many departments are at risk, according to the Monterey Herald. Some of the departments that could be eliminated are American Sign Language, international student programs, photography, dance and interior design.

Students at MPC have already shown that they are unhappy about the cuts to the departments and faculty. According to the Monterey County Herald, a demonstration to show support for the programs that were being cut was held March 9 in an auditorium. Hundreds of people came to show support.

MPC along with many other community colleges are facing cuts. California community colleges are facing up to $400 million in cuts. The UC's are facing up to $500 million. Lastly, the CSU's are looking at up to $500 million in spending cuts as well. With $500 million possibly being cut, it could mean that the CSU's could allegedly start facing department and faculty cuts as well.

Sharlene Gregg, a professor in the HCOM department, has experienced cuts before. She said " I know it can happen at CSUMB because we experienced it in Spring 2009. We had so few classes offered it made it so only tenured and entitled teachers were given courses in the HCOM--we did not have classes for any of the adjunct teachers. In fact, most of the entitled faculty members were cut one class. Currently, the stimulus funding has been keeping us afloat, but that may end this semester."

In 2009 there was a major cut in funding that caused furloughs and lay offs state wide. Students were not happy with these cuts and took to the streets. This year there are still cuts as well.

Some argue that cutting educators could hurt the future because they are who are educating students. Gregg says, "I think laying off teachers is very short sighted. Many studies have proven education saves tax dollars. If there are lay offs then there are less classes and less classes equates to less students able to attend college. I realize California is in dire straits but we would be better off with an added tax than seeing a decrease in educated citizens."

The reality is that California is struggling and there are going to have to be some sacrifices made. Many faculty and staff might be laid off until the budget and economy gets better. There are not many solutions out there except to hope that things will get better. One solution is to raise taxes for all Californians. There is also the idea of cutting from other things and leaving education alone. Students do not plan on sitting by idly while there are more and more cuts to education. They are planning on still fighting for their education no matter the circumstances.

The reality of these scenarios are keeping students and University faculty on their toes. For now, schools will have to stick it out and abide by budget cuts.