California higher education leaders detail $33B in capital needs at funding hearing

In a pivotal meeting held on May 6, 2025, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance convened to address the pressing infrastructure needs of California's higher education institutions. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as representatives from the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges laid bare the challenges they face in maintaining and upgrading aging facilities.

Nathan Brostrom, Chief Financial Officer for the UC system, opened the discussion by highlighting the dire state of the university's infrastructure. He noted that the UC system, which encompasses nearly 6,000 buildings across the state, is grappling with a staggering $8.5 billion in deferred maintenance projects. With many facilities over 30 years old, Brostrom emphasized the critical need for additional funding sources, such as general obligation bonds, to address these issues. He pointed out that without such resources, the university's ability to meet enrollment demands and ensure safe environments for students and staff is severely compromised.

Following Brostrom, Paul Gano, Assistant Vice Chancellor of CSU, painted a similarly bleak picture. He reported that the CSU system has a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $8 billion, with many of its buildings also aging significantly. Gano stressed that the lack of consistent funding has hindered the CSU's ability to keep pace with necessary renovations and expansions, leaving the system at a disadvantage in addressing its infrastructure needs.

Chris Ferguson, Executive Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, echoed these concerns, revealing that the community college system faces unmet facilities needs totaling around $33.5 billion. With over half of its facilities more than 25 years old, Ferguson underscored the importance of state bond resources to support modernization and growth projects essential for accommodating California's diverse student population.

The discussions highlighted a common theme: the urgent need for a reliable and predictable funding mechanism to support the capital needs of California's higher education institutions. As the meeting progressed, it became clear that without significant legislative action, the state's educational infrastructure could continue to deteriorate, impacting the quality of education and services provided to students.

As the subcommittee prepares to address these critical issues, the future of California's higher education infrastructure hangs in the balance, with the potential for legislative support to reshape the landscape of educational facilities across the state. The call for action is clear: investment in infrastructure is not just a financial necessity but a commitment to the future of education in California.