EOP budget crisis
Cuts effect EOP and students who use its services
By: Eliana Granados
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
Gov. Schwarzenegger has slammed California State Universitys across the state with this year's budget cuts. The increasing fees have had a dramatic effect on all students, but even more on minority students.
Programs offered in helping less fortunate students to obtain college degrees, such as the Educational Opportunity Program, may suffer from reduced funds and university enrollment.
"First of all, although it is certain about the budget cuts, it is still uncertain about how much will be cut," said Fernando Beltran, interim director of EOP. "EOP and other programs have suffered limited funds for about 12 years."
The biggest immediate impact on EOP is the recent cut back on admissions.
"EOP applicants apply to the university and then through EOP, but admission through EOP takes longer because we review the student's background and their letters of recommendations," Beltran said. "Their admissions usually aren't reviewed until much later."
The biggest impact will be the student population from EOP. This year, the university has decided not to accept any more applications after Feb. 1, increasing a huge loss of applicants through EOP. EOP's student population consists of mostly women along with Latinos, South East Asians, African-Americans, and Caucasians students.
Although many students are enrolled in EOP, not all of them have attended a special program inside EOP called Summer Bridge, which helps students become familiar with the university's services and get a taste of college life for three weeks in the dorms during the summer before their fall enrollment. Chuyita Verdugo, an EOP academic adviser, Summer Bridge Program coordinator and a CSU, Stanislaus graduate, is an example of a successful story of Summer Bridge and EOP.
"EOP admitted me into CSU Stanislaus and guided me throughout my undergraduate coursework," Verdugo said. "Not only did it provide me with another resource but also a family that helped and supported my education while I was performing and while I was not. I wouldn't have become who I am now if it weren't for the people that make up EOP today who truly believe in the significance of the program."
Programs offered in helping less fortunate students to obtain college degrees, such as the Educational Opportunity Program, may suffer from reduced funds and university enrollment.
"First of all, although it is certain about the budget cuts, it is still uncertain about how much will be cut," said Fernando Beltran, interim director of EOP. "EOP and other programs have suffered limited funds for about 12 years."
The biggest immediate impact on EOP is the recent cut back on admissions.
"EOP applicants apply to the university and then through EOP, but admission through EOP takes longer because we review the student's background and their letters of recommendations," Beltran said. "Their admissions usually aren't reviewed until much later."
The biggest impact will be the student population from EOP. This year, the university has decided not to accept any more applications after Feb. 1, increasing a huge loss of applicants through EOP. EOP's student population consists of mostly women along with Latinos, South East Asians, African-Americans, and Caucasians students.
Although many students are enrolled in EOP, not all of them have attended a special program inside EOP called Summer Bridge, which helps students become familiar with the university's services and get a taste of college life for three weeks in the dorms during the summer before their fall enrollment. Chuyita Verdugo, an EOP academic adviser, Summer Bridge Program coordinator and a CSU, Stanislaus graduate, is an example of a successful story of Summer Bridge and EOP.
"EOP admitted me into CSU Stanislaus and guided me throughout my undergraduate coursework," Verdugo said. "Not only did it provide me with another resource but also a family that helped and supported my education while I was performing and while I was not. I wouldn't have become who I am now if it weren't for the people that make up EOP today who truly believe in the significance of the program."
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