Next fall, you can expect fewer classes, teachers and employees here at Bakersfield College.
With California facing a massive budget deficit, Gov. Gray Davis has offered a proposal that promises to drive the budgets of the state’s community colleges into the ground.
These are not like the budget cuts in years past, when administrators have been forced to take a little bit here and a little bit there to weather the storm.
These cuts are all-encompassing and promise to produce a significant impact on every academic department and program at the college.
They promise an increase in enrollment fees of $11 per unit to $24 per unit.
They promise a serious reduction in the number of classes the college can offer.
They promise — and already have produced — the elimination of many on-campus jobs through work study programs, which many students rely on to help pay their way.
We may not be able to stop the cuts cold, but we may be able to lessen their impact.
We must contact our local legislators — Roy Ashburn, Dean Florez, Kevin McCarthy, Nicole Parra — through phone calls, letters and e-mails.
We must let them know that many of us may not be able to finish our educations under the governor’s proposed budget.
We must let them know that community colleges just can’t afford any more reductions in classes or employees.
The state budget is being debated now. Take a few minutes to read How to contact local legislators in the Opinion section.
Then let them know how these cuts will affect you.