In an article published back in May 2012, I shared my concerns regarding California’s budget woes and the looming changes awaiting state-funded universities. I had urged Skyline students to explore the opportunities presented at private institutions in hopes of introducing a viable option to earning a degree in a timely fashion.

Here we are now nearly a year later and lawmakers continue to struggle to make significant progress toward a solution, leaving another wave of prospective transfers in limbo. Add in the looming effects of the sequester to the equation, and the decision to attend a state-sponsored school can be both costly and disastrous. An overreaction? Perhaps. But is an education worth compromising in this economic climate?

Primary and secondary education in California is bracing itself for the $87.6 million it will lose, putting low-income students among the most vulnerable (not to mention the estimated 1,210 teaching jobs now at risk). This translates to fewer students eligible for financial aid, fewer work-study opportunities, and the uncertainty of whether a degree truly lies two years following transfer. The price tags at CSU and UC schools may appear to be a fraction of the cost of a private school, but imagine needing a few extra years to graduate. Remember, fewer (and overcrowded) classes and the likelihood of future fee increases also lie in the realm of possibilities.

The state of public education in California is currently in a stage of uncertainty as it tries to account for the increasing demand at public universities. Senate leader, Darrell Steinberg (D—Sacramento) has pushed for a more virtual classroom experience to alleviate some of the concerns regarding the sequestration’s effect on resources available for higher education. The idea was disapproved by UC faculty leaders based on concerns that instruction standards would be compromised. Without the support of UC faculty leaders, CSU and community college campuses are unlikely to implement a drastic shift toward online education.

It appears that lawmakers and state universities won’t come to an agreement any time soon and it’s unclear how changes in structure would affect students short-term. Will students be seeing lower quality education offered by the UC and CSU system soon? Time will tell.

Private colleges don’t have to answer to budget limitations in regard to the quality of their academics since they don’t rely on government funding. Smaller class sizes, student-instructor interaction, and timely completion dates are still a reality. Greater financial aid packages can also ease the burden of the costs associated with private schools, further justifying the investment.

I encourage all Skyline students to take time to examine the state of public education in preparation for the transfer applications coming this fall semester. We should ask ourselves, “Is choosing a public education a risk I’m willing to take?”