Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval spoke in English and Spanish at the Fresno State Chicano/Latino 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Save Mart Center on May 21, 2022.
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Fresno State plans to freeze hiring and restrict non-essential travel and spending in response to a revised state budget that is expected to hit California State University and its 23 campuses hard .
University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, in a communication to campus Monday, said Fresno State does not have the permanent base funding needed to cover a projected shortfall in state funds due to a declining tuition revenue and increased compensation and benefits for faculty and staff. as well as utility costs.
Jiménez-Sandoval asked each cabinet member to propose budget cuts for the next two school years.
CSU, the nation's largest four-year public university system, is in the midst of a five-year deal with the state that runs through 2026-27 and during which it is to receive $240 million annually .
But Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed delaying Compact funding for 2024-25 until 2025-26 and enacting a one-time $75 million budget cut for 2024-25. The state could also cut funding for the university system by 8% in 2025-26, which could mean a $20 million reduction for Fresno State, Jiménez-Sandoval said in his campus communication.
A final 2024-25 budget must be signed by June 15.
Jiménez-Sandoval declined to comment beyond her communication with campus, but CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia said Friday: “California State University (CSU) recognizes that the governor’s May review seeks to address the state's significant fiscal challenges. We recognize the Governor's commitment to CSU, but are deeply concerned about what the proposal means for our students and 23 universities. As an institution that trains California’s ever-changing workforce, this budget puts us in a position where we must make difficult decisions.
Fresno State's hiring freeze does not apply to active job searches deemed essential to campus operations. Any exceptions must be approved by the president of the university and the vice president directing the division.
This story was originally published May 13, 2024, 4:19 p.m.
