For a long time now there has been talk of a budget decrease in the CSU system. Well, it has now become a reality that all CSUs will have to deal with. Many programs will be going through a one-percent cut in funding. The cut in funding will be equally distributed throughout all programs funded in part by the university. Many students as well as faculty might be asking how this cut in funding will affect future programs and programs which are already in the works.
One program that has been talked about a lot in the community is the proposed engineering program. This new engineering program is supposed to bring a bachelor degree in engineering to CSUB.
Many students, as well as the community, have expressed their interest in having engineering here at CSUB. A proposition has been made and steps have been taken. However, the progress is currently on hold.
Interim Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs James H. George said the current hold has nothing to do with the budget cut. George stated that prior to the budget cut, funding could not be obtained.
"The chancellor had not been convinced because he has reservations for bringing engineering to CSUB and on whether the resources were there,” said George.
This was something Jackie Kegley, professor of philosophy, agreed with. Kegley said the chancellor's approval hadn’t been obtained and it was unlikely that the chancellor will approve additional money. Kegley believes the reasons why there have been reservations about the program are many engineering programs in other universities are currently down in enrollment, and the chancellor is unsure if the system can afford to start a new program.
Although the budget decrease appears to have not had a direct affect on the proposed engineering program, Kegley believes that funding is a big issue. She believes that a good step to take would be to get good guarantees for building funding in order to provide a good quality program. She feels it is important to meet the students’ needs, but not at the expense of draining other programs.
Someday with the support of the faculty, students and the community, engineering might one day arrive at CSUB. Right now it appears everything is frozen. Right now CSUB meets the needs of its engineering students by providing a pre-engineering program, which then allows students to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to finish their education. A new development in the engineering education at CSUB is third- year engineering classes. In cooperation with Fresno and Northridge, CSUB can now provide its students with third year engineering classes via television.
So, although it is unsure if the engineering program will arrive at CSUB anytime soon, the university is trying as much as possible to accommodate those students who are interested in pursuing engineering. The budget cut can hinder some programs and delay others, but it cannot prevent the university from exercising its effort to accommodate the needs of its students.
Runner@csubak.edu