SACRAMENTO â Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (Orange County) expressed concern Wednesday that California State University campuses cannot fully justify spending on management staff, after recent audits have found systemic budgeting problems at state schools.
Quirk-Silva, and other lawmakers, made their remarks during a hearing on an audit of CSU staffing and budget oversight.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva said she was concerned recent audits found budgeting issues at the University of California and at the California State University. The two systems are receiving more than $7 billion this year under the current state budget.
âOn behalf of the students, parents, and California taxpayers, we demand transparency and accountability when it comes to university finances, especially when they continue to increase tuition,â said Quirk-Silva. âThis is about the students. Our students are facing ever-increasing tuition costs, while budget allocation continues to focus on management staff.â
In April, the audit found campuses increased management staff numbers and compensation at a higher rate than for other employee groups, including faculty. It also found campuses do not adequately monitor their budgets to ensure public money is spent appropriately. CSU representatives said they are currently working to fix the problems identified by the audit.
State auditor Elaine Howle said she expects the university system to implement most of the recommendations her team made by April 2018.
"Our systems in education have to be doing a better job for our taxpayers. We have to do better for California students," said Quirk-Silva.