CSU budget continues to suffer Teleconference highlights CSU’s growing budget woes
TUESDAY February 7, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 69 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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Elisse Miller staff writer Discussion about the California State University budget continued last week during an informational teleconference held by CSU Public Affairs. With the recent victory of the salary cap for all new CSU presidents, it was time to turn attention to the vulnerability of CSU government funding. Currently, Gov. Jerry Brown’s CSU budget proposal for the new fiscal year calls for a “flat budget” that would decrease funding by $750 million. In addition, there is a $200 million trigger cut that can be avoided if Brown’s new tax initiative is passed. This initiative would increase the California sales tax a half of a percentage point and the income taxes of those earning $250,000 or more for five years. Liz Chapin, the CSU Public Affairs representative, said “The $200 million trigger cut would reduce CSU state funding to the lowest level it’s been since 1996. However, today the CSU enrolls 95,000 more students.” Students know that a lack of funds could lead to several equally damaging consequences. Employment and enrollment could be reduced, which is a grim option because San Diego State just broke records for its number of Fall 2012 applicants. A tuition increase is another possible solution. Although the increase of $500 in the fall is nearly guarenteed, the board said this would only occur if all other options had been exhausted.
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SDSU looks to regain its focus after its losing streak was snapped. MCT CAMPUS
Crucial university programs are not the only victims in the budget reduction; this cut would also mean a cut in financial aid. In Brown’s 2012-2013 budget proposal, a GPA of 3.25 must be met to receive Cal Grant A. The GPA is currently set at 3.0. Cal Grant A is specifically designated to assist students entering a four-year university, though those attending community college can defer the grant for two years. Fortunately, the allotted amount for the Pell Grant has been maintained at $5,550. However, it is now only available to students for 12 semesters instead of 18. Most impor-
tantly, the six-month grace period given to those with student loans has been temporarily eliminated; interest fees will start to accumulate immediately after a student graduates. “With all these changes, financial aid has just now become a line item in the budget instead of being something incredibly essential like it is,” Stephanie Thara, web communications specialist at CSU, said. While many students are lamenting the foreboding decreases to the budget, the CSU system is teaming up with the California State Student Association to fight these cuts, especially those directly affecting the Cal Grant.
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Executive Director of CSSA Miles Nevin commented on the partnership by stating, “We feel and we’ve come to an agreement that if we work together in representing the CSU’s needs and interests both at a local and capital level, that we will be better off in the end. We have a higher likelihood of getting what we need from the state.” In December, the President of CSU Long Beach F. King Alexander also met with President Barack Obama to discuss the issue of college affordability. These are just two examples of the efforts being made toward gaining back state financial support on the CSU’s road to recovery. OPINION The PTC points a finger at M.I.A. for corrupting the young and innocent.
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Israel-Iran tensions on the rise
WORLD NEWS
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta feels confident an Israeli attack on Iran is imminent and likely to happen as soon as April. This comes after years of mounting suspicions Iran has been developing nuclear weapons, despite increased economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations. However, Iran continues to claim its nuclear program is purely to generate energy for civilian use. In the wake of growing suspicions, Iran’s leaders have not been what most would consider diplomatic. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently stated war against Iran would be “detrimental” for the U.S. and described Israel as “the cancerous tumor of this region” that “needs to be removed and will be removed.” These developments have made it increasingly difficult to convince Israel peace talks are the best course of action in dealing with Iran as a nuclear threat.
U.S. think tank Bipartisan Policy Center recently released a report that suggested the U.S begin making military preparations, which will make it apparent to Iran the U.S. is ready to take military action if needed.
US embassy in Syria closed The U. S. embassy in Syria was shut d o w n y e s t e rd a y a m i d s t v i o l e n c e between protestors and the Syrian government. Embassy officials and staff were promptly evacuated. The Associated Press reported the move as an attempt to place pressure on Syrian president Bashar Assad to end the violence between protestors and government troops. The embassy itself is located in the Syrian capital of Damascus. On Saturday, Assad began shelling the city of Homs. Numerous world leaders, including President Barack Obama, have
expressed their disdain and absolute disapproval with the Assad regime’s handling of the uprisings. The embassy closure also comes as nations are stepping up pressure on Assad to step down as president. Arab League monitors were dispatched to Syria earlier this year in order to assess the situation and evaluate the Assad regime’s position going forward. Attention is now turned on Russia and China, as they moved to veto a U.N. resolution yesterday that would have imposed tougher sanctions on Syria as well as Assad’s resignation. Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby issued a statement saying that Russia and China have lost their credit with the Arab world in the blocking of the resolution.
–Compiled by News Editor Hutton Marshall.
Time estranges us from ourselves. Sometimes I look in the mirror, see my features all scrunched up ... and I don’t recognize myself. B A C K PA G E
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