Programs in danger of being eliminated

By Gayle Yglesias
The Guardsman

The state legislature has yet to pass a financial plan to address California’s $19.9 million deficit, leaving California without a budget, and making it the longest impasse in the state’s history.

The legislature trying is to close the deficit by reducing spending through cutting some state-funded programs.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget includes a reduction in spending, and would continue to fully fund K-12 education and increase funding for the University of California, the California State University and the California Community Colleges system, to avoid tuition hikes or deep cuts to classes.

Schwarzenegger’s budget would also eliminate numerous programs, such as CalWORKs.

CalWORKs provides financial assistance and employment services for low-income families with children. City College’s program aims to help potential, current and former welfare recipients who are students.

“If the budget passes, the program here will see less benefits, such as cash awards and child care, that are provided by the county program,” Roland Montemayor, a City College CalWORKs academic counselor said.

CalWORKs students would receive fewer benefits, if San Francisco County’s CalWORKs program gets cut from the state budget. As of now, students are required to do 32 hours of activities, which include 12 units of classes as a full time student, and 20 hours of work activity.

Eligible City College CalWORKs students are entitled to counseling services, which help them in creating education plans, enrolling in courses and gaining accessibility to resources on campus and in the community. They may also be eligible for financial aid, fee waivers and book vouchers, which help financially struggling students pay for classes and books.

“What am I suppose to do? If it gets cut, it gets cut,” CalWORKs student Danielson Capuzs said. “I feel like there isn’t really anything I can do to stop it. And if this happens, I won’t be able to pay for my books or tuition. I resorted to a community college because it was cheaper than a UC or CSU, but even now I’m facing financial dilemmas.”

Montemayor said that many people would be affected because the program works with about 300 students per semester.

“I empathize with low income students. Book vouchers and fee waivers are great, but sometimes even those aren’t enough to cover the costs of materials students need,” City College student Julio Cayetano said. “It’s bad enough as it is and if the budget passes, it’s going to be even more difficult for them.”

As of now, the current fiscal situation is making it difficult for teachers as well, because teachers are taking on more students.

“Because of the budget crisis, I took in more students in my classes than I have ever taken before. “I am allowed a maximum of 31 students, but took about 40 because I know students will drop over the course of the semester.” City College English instructor John Delgado said. “I am not being compensated for the extra students I take in. I know other teachers are doing it and we are suffering with students too. My heart goes out to all of them because I know there are certain classes they really need.”

Peter Goldstien, vice chancellor of finance and administration, was unavailable for comment.