San Jose State Faces Huge Budget Shortfall; Fewer Classes Planned

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – A budget shortfall could see some class sections eliminated at San Jose State University next spring, which has thrown educators and students for a loop.

News of the cuts left many department heads like Bob Rucker, Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, bewildered.

"We've gone from, I think, outrage and shock last week, when we first found out about this, to 'how do we make this work?' We want to help make this work, but we're trying to figure out how not to hurt the students," Rucker said. "Parents and family and friends out there sent their children here because they know we have a great university, with many departments that offer incredible future opportunities. We don't want to do anything that will jeopardize their dreams, their hopes and their goals."

San Jose State University Spokeswoman Pat Lopes Harris said the campus only recently realized that they wouldn't be able to meet their balanced budget goals.

"What we realized about a month ago was that if we continue to spend as we have been, we will spend $4 million more on instruction than we have in the budget," she said. "So we are, at the point, now halfway through the year of making adjustments so that we continue to teach in the confines of our budget."

Lopes Harris said they aren't expecting to make drastic changes and that the cuts won't impact spring enrollment.

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