By Maria Aguilar|Staff Writer|

A $8.5 million fundraising goal will play an important role this year at CSUSB, due to the possibility of more budget cuts if Proposition 30 is not passed.
“Every year, the university strives to generate as much external revenue as possible. Our goal this year is based on a formula with the Chancellor’s office,” said Ron Fremont, the new vice president of University Advancement.
The CSU had a $750 million budget cut this year, which led to an increase in tuition, according to the CSU website.
Propostion 30 can possibly be a solution to prevent any further budget cuts.
It was proposed by California Governor Jerry Brown for the 2012-13 state budget plan. If passed, the plan will raise income taxes on high-income earners for seven years and increase state sales taxes for four years.
This money can generate approximately $7 billion a year in additional revenue in an effort to close a $9.2 billion state general fund deficit. If it fails to pass, an additional $200 million cut to the CSU system can go into effect, affecting almost 27,000 enrolled students.
“Campuses throughout the CSU have implemented numerous cost-cutting measures and acted prudently with resources to get through this year. However, if the state does not begin to reinvest in the CSU, more drastic measures including cutting enrollment and programs, raising tuition and reducing personal will need to be acted upon,” said Charles Reed, CSU Chancellor on the CSU website.
While state funds are a vital source of income for CSUSB, so is fundraising.
Donations from the community play a critical role. Jack Brown Hall, the Murillo Family Observatory and the Santos Manuel Student Union are a few examples of how donations by community members supported development on campus.

The extension of CSUSB Palm Desert is, “one of the best examples of the power of philanthropy in the entire CSU,” said Fremont. “The campus quickly generated significant community support. The growth has been remarkable and new proposals are in place that will continue to expand the campus,” continued Fremont.
CSUSB’s new leadership, President Tomás D. Morales and Vice President of University Advancement Ron Fremont are both bringing many years of experience to CSUSB to face this challenge.
Morales is the fourth president of CSUSB and raised more than $8 million for the College of Staten Island within the City University of New York, where he was president for five years.
Executing new ideas with Morales is Fremont, vice president of university advancement. He joins CSUSB with 24 years of experience at Cal Poly Pomona working within public affairs and strategic planning, among other titles.
“The Division of University Advancement not only includes development, but public affairs, alumni affairs and advancement services. At the end of the day, it’s always about the students. Trust that this team will continue to work towards giving our students the best possible education experience,” said Fremont.
While this team focuses on raising funds for the campus, residents of California can influence how state funds are raised by voting.
Proposition 30 can be voted on next month, on Nov. 6.