With the California State University system facing unprecedented financial challenges, Cal State Fullerton President Ronald S. Rochon joined hundreds of students, faculty and staff at the state capitol to advocate for critical funding to support the nation’s largest four-year public university system.
On March 18-19, CSU leaders, students and advocates attended CSU Advocacy Days in Sacramento, and were part of a systemwide opposition to drastic budget cuts that would impact student success and essential campus operations.
Many of the discussions centered around Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2025-26 budget proposal, which includes a $375 million reduction — or 7.95% cut — to the CSU’s state funding.
The proposed budget reductions coupled with looming federal funding cuts could have devastating consequences for Cal State Fullerton. Fewer course offerings and increased class sizes would make it harder for students to complete their degrees on time. Critical programs — such as academic advising, mental health services and financial aid — are at risk. In addition, the cuts would disproportionately affect first-generation and underserved students.
“We understand that the state has significant budget challenges, including the devastating impact the wildfires have had on our Southern California communities. However, the needs to serve the well-being of our communities are not exclusive to one another,” said Rochon.
“The CSU and the legislature share the same educational priorities: Graduation rates, closing equity gaps, growing resident enrollment, elevating best practices in teaching, health care, STEM programs and ensuring that graduates are prepared to succeed in the workforce,” he continued. “We simply cannot fall behind in this important work.”
The CSUF delegates met with several elected officials, including Assembly Members Sharon Quirk-Silva, Phillip Chen, Tri Ta, Avelino Valencia and Blanco Pacheco, and Sen. Steven Choi.
“This cut is equivalent to the funding needed to educate and support more than 36,000 full-time students,” Rochon explained. “These cuts threaten the progress that the governor and our elected officials have made in supporting our campus community in securing greater CSU access for brilliant and deserving candidates living in some of our most underserved communities.”
Rochon outlined how the CSU is working to manage its structural processes, including its systemwide multi-year tuition increase, as well as how Cal State Fullerton is strengthening its enrollment efforts with a new, dedicated vice president for enrollment management position.
“Cal State Fullerton currently serves over 43,000 students. CSUF and other CSU campuses are evaluating how we can strategically tackle enrollment and develop efforts of broadening access and ensuring a smoother experience from admission to graduation for all students,” said Rochon. “Coming to California from the Midwest, I can personally attest to the enrollment challenges many campuses are facing across the nation — we at CSUF realize that the days of ‘build it and they will come’ are over. Therefore, we must remain vigilant, attentive and strategic.”
Megan Hannoun, CSUF Associated Students Inc. chief governmental officer and a political science major, highlighted the direct impact on students.
“A budget cut of that size will negatively impact students and the services that they rely on to succeed in and out of the classroom,” said Hannoun. “If funding is reduced, instruction, academic support, student services and facility improvements will be negatively impacted.”
Rochon emphasized the broader economic implications, sharing that CSUF alone generates more than $65 million per year in state tax revenue and sustains over 8,700 jobs.
“The CSU system is the most consequential university system in America. These cuts threaten the futures of thousands of students and the nation’s workforce who rely on affordable, high-quality education,” said Rochon. “The CSUs produce half of the country’s teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs and mental health professionals, and these cuts would be devastating for our region and nation.”