California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) received good news with the recent release of the 2021 California state budget. The $262.2 billion package, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in early July, includes $60 million earmarked for a trio of CSUDH campus infrastructure projects, and $1 million for the campus’ Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute.
CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham enthusiastically welcomed the news, saying, “The state’s 2021 allocation of resources to address critical infrastructure needs on the Dominguez Hills campus is an investment that will yield long-term dividends. Targeting these funds to a campus bursting with potential, yet long neglected and insufficiently resourced, is what authentic equity looks like in the realm of public policy and state budgeting.
“I am grateful for the support of State Senator Steven Bradford and the California Legislative Black Caucus, who advocated for both the CSU system and Dominguez Hills specifically. This allocation is a game changer for the campus.”
CSUDH Vice President of Administration and Finance Deborah Wallace added, “The significance of this one-time allocation to CSUDH will be a transformative investment and will further aesthetically enhance the physical campus and address much needed infrastructure improvements and student support facilities.”
The $60 million allocation provides seed money for the following projects:
- $20 million toward a new electric substation on campus, to bring the power grid up to date and create a more energy efficient infrastructure.
- $20 million toward to the construction of a new student residents dining hall.
- $20 million toward a state-of-the-art health, wellness, and recreation facility on campus.
Wallace said that planning and design for the three earmarked projects is commencing. She expected that construction could begin within two or three years but noted that additional investment will be required.
“CSUDH is fortunate to have a leader in Dr. Parham, who dares to dream and knows how to utilize various systems, including the state budget process, to achieve those dreams,” said Senator Bradford, whose support was instrumental in getting the funding included in the budget. “It has been an absolute honor for me and my colleagues in the California Legislative Black Caucus to work with Dr. Parham to obtain $60 million in funding for CSUDH. This vital funding will help put CSUDH on a strong footing when compared with other CSU campuses, and ensures a first-in-class educational experience for its ethnically diverse students.”
Recurring Funding for Dymally Institute
The budget also included $1 million in recurring funding for the Mervyn M. Dymally Political & Economic Institute, located on the CSUDH campus. According to Dymally Institute Executive Director Anthony Samad, the money will allow the institute to expand its operations and flourish on campus.
“The Dymally Institute is pleased to have received ongoing support in this year’s state budget, said Samad. “Now that the Institute will receive reoccurring funding of $1 million dollars every year, it will allow us to engage in long-term sustainability planning. We can now plan for operations and programming expansion, and even long-term infrastructure planning toward the Dymally Institute having its own building on campus one day. We can finally put the days of dormancy and year-to-year funding uncertainty in our rear-view mirror. Nothing but positive things ahead now. That’s how important this year’s funding allocation was.”
“The funding for the Dymally Institute will allow it to help educate the student body, state, nation, and world about the myriad of ways that African American leaders have impacted our society, and to study and debate public policy and their impacts on the black community,” added Senator Bradford. “Our past is full of greatness, and our future can be even brighter if we are grounded in the truth of our struggles and our potential. The additional resources being provided by the state will facilitate all that we have to offer.”
