In the midst of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed budget and the planned $500 million cut to the California State University system, Cal Poly Pomona could potentially face a $25 million cut to its funding this year.

In a Jan. 31 “President’s Weekly Address” video, University President Michael Ortiz said Cal Poly Pomona would have to cut $25 million from its budget if Brown’s proposed state budget is approved by the state legislature.

Ortiz said such a cut to the CSU could cause Cal Poly Pomona officials to “redefine” various aspects of the university.

“The hard facts are these,” said Ortiz in the video, “the governor’s proposed budget cut to the California State University system, coupled by the real potential for additional cuts, could ultimately force us to redefine our educational model, affecting the number of students we serve and the quantity of courses we offer.”

Marten denBoer, Cal Poly Pomona university provost, said that despite all CSU campuses facing cuts, Cal Poly Pomona officials will attempt to decrease negative impacts to the university.

“We are all going to experience some budget cuts,” said denBoer. “We don’t know how large they are going to be, but we are going to make every effort to make it possible for students to get the classes that they need and the quality education they need.”

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has called upon every CSU campus to develop and submit a “first-phase” emergency budget by March 1.

Should the $500 million cut occur, each campus’ revised budget – which will take into account how that campus will bear its share of the system-wide cut – will be adopted.

Although the severity of the proposed system-wide cut is being put into perspective, nothing is definitive yet.

A June referendum, called for by Brown, will allow California voters to decide whether to extend state sales and income taxes that could pick up the cost left in Brown’s state budget and may lessen the blow to the California’s education budget.

California faces a $25 billion shortcoming, which could be halved to $12.5 billion with the tax extensions.

The other $12.5 billion has already been accounted for in Brown’s overall budget.

denBoer said if voters reject the taxes’ extension, the effects would be detrimental.

“If the voters do not vote for those tax extensions, then the governor will have to find another  $12.5 billion in cuts, so things could get worse if that doesn’t happen,” said denBoer.

In an effort to reach a wider audience and potential voters, Ortiz attempted to address not just students and faculty, but also alumni and members of the local community.

“You may be one of our alumni or friends in the community who does not normally receive my weekly video address to the faculty, staff and students of Cal Poly Pomona,” said Ortiz in the video.  “I appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to watch so you can be best informed about our financial realities.”

David Speak, chair of the Political Science Department, said it is not the most popular opinion to support Brown’s budget cuts, but it is time to be realistic about the situation as a whole.

“I believe the only way back to sound financial dealings in California is to try to strip away the smoke and mirrors, and that’s what [Brown] is trying to do,” said Speak.

In the midst of talk regarding budget cuts and taxes has emerged a discussion about which universities are the most cost-efficient.

In his address, Ortiz highlighted statistics that showed Cal Poly Pomona spends only $13,159 on each full-time student and is ranked 14th in the nation of the most cost-efficient universities in the United States.

While spending less on students means achieving a “cost-efficient” status, it can also translate to larger class sizes, reduced course offerings, faculty layoffs and a reduction in resources available to students.

Gwen Urey, Cal Poly Pomona chapter president of the California Faculty Association, said students have been “bearing the burden” of budget cuts and fee increases for the past decade.

“I think it’s so clear from a student perspective that the main thing students must be seeing is, ‘I’m paying more and getting less,'” said Urey.

As the talks of deep cuts progress, denBoer said one thing is clear.

“From the student’s perspective, this is a lousy deal,” said denBoer.