Leaders of California's two largest public university systems have aired their concerns about Gov. Gavin Newsom's state budget proposal, which is expected to reduce up to 8% of their funding in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Leadership skill in translating dollars to student success initiatives is just one reason why stronger state funding doesn't necessarily boost graduation rates.
The merger is the second announced in two years, which the president believes is "part of a strategic repositioning of the entire WVU System for success in a challenging collegiate landscape."
As state budgets continue to tighten and higher education runs out of pandemic-era federal funding, these colleges are continuing their research in unison. "Together, our strengths are magnified."
"We're about to fall off that cliff," said Higher Education Co-Chairman Gregg Haddad referring to the reliance the state system placed on one-time federal aid investments, such as the American Rescue Plan.
Recent state legislation and partnerships have greatly improved institutions' abilities to pump out a skilled workforce by improving student resources and offering flexible. affordable bachelor's degree attainment opportunities.
