Mercury News: " Brown proposes big cuts to higher education"

By Matt Krupnick

California's colleges and universities face a combined $1.4 billion in cuts in the next budget year under a proposal laid out Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The University of California and California State University systems would receive $500 million less apiece from the state in 2011-12, obliterating gains made in this year's budget. And the state would cut $400 million from California's 112 community colleges, although a proposed fee hike would make up for $110 million of that.

Statewide education leaders reacted to the news with anger and disappointment. Cal State Chancellor Charles Reed said the 23-campus system would likely limit enrollment next year, and UC President Mark Yudof noted that 2011 could be the first year tuition comprises a larger portion of the university's budget than state funds.

>> FULL STORY <<