Newsom’s Budget Proposal Aims to Close Equity Gaps in Cal State, UC Systems

Gov. Newsom’s latest budget proposal includes a 5% increase in funding over a period of five years for UC and Cal State campuses. In exchange, the UC and Cal State systems must work to improve student outcomes, specifically for underrepresented and underserved students of low income and minority backgrounds. This is a HUGE step in the right direction towards educational equity in higher education! 

Specifically, the Governor is asking the UC system to increase the amount of revenue dedicated to financial aid and asking the Cal State system to reduce the cost of instruction materials. Both systems have agreed to increase the amount of student enrollment and graduation rates in high demand career programs such as education, science, engineering, and technology. Additionally, the plan allocates $1.6 billion to California’s community colleges. 

Gary Coronado for Los Angeles Times

Newsom proposes big funding for UC, Cal State. But there’s a condition: Close equity gaps

By Teresa Watanabe and Colleen Shalby, LA Times | 1/10/2022