Economy, education cuts taking heavy toll on state's college students, new study shows

The ongoing economic crisis and continuing state budget cuts to higher education have had a devastating impact on students at California's public colleges and universities, resulting in "alarmingly high levels of stress," according to a new report from the Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at UCLA.

"Squeezed From All Sides: The CSU Crisis and California's Future," which draws on interviews with more than 2,000 students at California State University, Northridge, paints a picture of students struggling to complete their education amid shrinking state resources, rising tuition costs, limited course offerings and growing out-of-school burdens that include supporting parents and other family members who have been hit hard by the recession.

"What [students] told us shows that the challenges they face are severely limiting their opportunities and taking years out of their productive lives," said Civil Rights Project co-directors Gary Orfield and Patricia Gándara, who co-authored the report. "These challenges are putting great stress upon families that are already disrupted by the loss of jobs and income."

While the authors note that the financial crisis facing California cannot be resolved without significant sacrifice, they question whether placing further economic burdens on these students represents a fiscally responsible path, particularly at a time when state cuts have resulted in fewer courses being available, forcing many students to delay graduation.

"If these young people are delayed in entering the job force because they are short courses they need to graduate, how much does it cost the state in foregone tax revenues?" the authors ask. "Will the state accommodate the rising demand for higher education?

"It is important for Californians to listen seriously to student voices and weigh the cost of shifting the burden to these young people."