Cal Poly could soon face a $24.2 million reduction, in state funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to a university-wide email from President Jeffrey Armstrong Thursday. The cut would mean losing 4.7% of the current budget.
The proposed cuts stem from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget cut proposal in January, which includes a 7.95% ongoing reduction to Cal State system funding — a total reduction of $375.2 million system-wide. This funding, the email read, is equivalent to supporting approximately 36,000 students.
This budget cut comes amid statewide efficiency reductions included in the State of California’s 2024 Budget Act, which aims to address ongoing General Fund budget pressures.
“We need everyone to pull together in one voice to reverse the cuts and provide funding for the CSU to grow and support our state’s economy,” the email read. “This proposal, if passed, will be extremely detrimental to the CSU and Cal Poly.”
If passed, the budget cuts would impact academics, student services, course offerings, campus operations and the Cal State workforce. Revisions to the budget are expected in May, with final approval of the signed budget anticipated by the end of June, according to the email.
Additionally, the email read that the planned reduction “comes at a difficult time” as Cal Poly is currently under a budgeted deficit to complete a 1% enrollment increase at the request of Cal State leadership.
The planned reduction “significantly compounds our budgeted deficit,” the email read. “Despite these cuts, the administration expects the CSU to continue to make progress on compact goals, including a 1% enrollment increase.”
The university emphasized its commitment to financial efficiency, expressing a strong desire to prevent layoffs.
“I realize that this possibility is unsettling, and I pledge that we are doing all we can to avoid potential layoffs,” the email read.
Erin Foote, vice president of organizing at the California State University Employees Union and a food science and nutrition instructional support technician, expressed concerns about Armstrong’s statement on preventing layoffs.
“The easiest way to prevent layoffs is to not have them,” Foote said. “Why would you tell people that they could be laid off and give yourself credit for not laying them off when you never had to begin the conversation in the first place?”
CFA-SLO President Lisa Kawamura also expressed concerns over the proposed cuts.
“Now more than ever, faculty and staff need [Armstrong’s] support,” Kawamura said. “I’m sure he’s getting pressure from the Chancellor’s Office that we grow, but they can’t expect us to grow and yet take money away. It doesn’t work that way.”
Foote said this email was premature and caused harm among some faculty and staff.
“We won’t have a finalized budget until June,” Foote said. “There is so much more time to be advocating for this cut to be removed, and instead of encouraging the campus to take action, President Armstrong instead chose to scare everyone with austerity and the threat of layoffs.”
Additionally, Cal State and Cal Poly leadership are communicating their concerns to the California State Legislature about this budget proposal and the potential impacts it might have on the university system and its students, the email read. In the meantime, Cal Poly leadership is developing staffing plans for an Office of Effectiveness and Efficiency.
This is a developing story, Mustang News will update as more information becomes available.