Struggling College Needs Community Help

PALM DESERT – As schools around the state deal with historical budget cuts one local college is turning to the community for help, hoping businesses will dig deep so the school doesn’t crumble.

“I’ve never seen a situation like this,” says Fred Jandt, California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert campus Dean.

There’s no end in sight for schools struggling with cuts while trying to meet demand and maintain quality.

“Everyone is hurting,” says Jandt. ” This is a hard time.”

CSU has lost more than half a billion dollars.

“It has effected every campus across the state, every facility member across the state and every student across the state,” says Jandt.

School leaders increased students fees by 30 percent and slashed enrollment, classes and teachers. However, it’s still not enough.

“It’s been a tough year and as we look ahead to next year it is possible that we may have to make even more cuts,” says Jandt.

Now the school is looking to the community for help. Sending letters to local organizations, asking for donations of any kind.

“One local company was generous to give special medical equipment to our nursing students,” says Jandt. ” It was very helpful because we wouldn’t have the cash to buy it this year.”

This isn’t the first time CSU turned to the community for help. It’s done every year, but this time around help is critical.

“We need to help our students and help keep higher education alive and vital here in the Coachella Valley,” says Jandt.

Last year CSU’s local campus took in about 65 thousand dollars in donations. If it doesn’t beat that number this year, students will pay.

“Without support there will be more cuts, that is inevitable,” says Jandt.

For information on how you can make a donation to the local CSU campus, click here.