Budget cuts have affected more than just students trying to crash classes. Administration has felt the pinch and are making changes to save resources and make them stretch.
In January the governor’s office released the 2011-12 budget for the CSU system which called for an 18 percent reduction in state support. Translated to monetary terms, about $500 million that has been cut.
Each college and department on campus has been affected differently by the financial strain.
All personal printers were taken out of the social work offices within the last year, limiting them to one centralized printer, with a maximum number of copies, said Tiffany Newton, social work office manager.
Instead of ordering supplies as needed, the department is now limited to one supply order a year, Newton said. She said they must be extra cautious as to the amount they use office items or they would run out and need to bring their own.
With students having trouble getting classes and graduating on time, it is only fair that the departments have to deal with monetary issues as well, said Monica Montes, 20, liberal arts major.
Betsey Jones, office manager of the department of civil engineering and applied mechanics, said her goal for the department is to preserve resources like paper, ink and pens, so they can allow students to make copies.
“We know (students) don’t have a lot of money and are trying to get through school,” Jones said.
Offices aren’t the only victims of the budet crunch. Engineering labs may soon see the effects because they cannot be updated, Jones said. Students have noticed the lack of paper, which has pushed them to print their own syllabi, but the labs are still acceptable.
“I haven’t really noticed anything run-down or dirty, it all seems average or above average,” said Michael Johnston, 19, computer science major.
Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications has experienced these cuts for years and because they implemented resource-saving tactics such as conserving paper and ordering less supplies, they are not facing as much of a crisis right now, said Dean Robert Bucker.
Compared to other California universities, CSUN is dealing well with the budget cuts, said Maureen Rubin, interim associate dean.
“Unlike other CSU’s we have not had to lay off faculty, furloughs and other small changes have minimized the effects of budget cuts on faculty and students,” Rubin said.
Budgets and money allocated to departments varies and while some departments are more expensive to run than others they are also given more money to cover this, Rubin said.
Students like psychology major Nicole Moncree still blame budget cuts for lack of classes, but Rubin said the number and kind of classes offered is monitored by how many students need them, and more classes are added when a need arises.
“We (administration and professors) are doing what we can and we are here trying because we want to and enjoy the students,” Rubin said.
