After receiving a gift of $29 million in April, the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology was still faced with budget cuts and spending restrictions this fall.

Some wondered if the agriculture students at California State University, Fresno were spared from losing class sections because of the Jordan family donation. However, Dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology, Dr. Charles Boyer said that is not the case.

“The gift was designated for research and scholarship,â€Â Boyer said. “I can’t use the money to teach classes because that wasn’t the intent of the donor.â€Â He also said it was necessary to drop classes from the Fall 2009 schedule or the campus would be fined.

Agriculture students are still required to take general education courses. That is where the students are presented with the most challenges, according to Boyer.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,â€Â agriculture business major Joni Worley said. According to Worley, she has not had difficulty registering, and none of her classes had been dropped. Despite the cut courses, Worley said that she is on track to graduate spring of 2010.

The college of agriculture took special care to only drop courses that were not required by the different majors for graduation. These were elected courses, Boyer said. Some of the sections that were dropped included upper division technical writing, nutrition, and agriculture society.

Agriculture business major David Moran said he has had two of his classes dropped this semester and he has had to reregister.

“I could not find alternatives to one. I’m still hoping to graduate on time if no more bad luck hits,â€Â Moran said.

Less than 10 general education courses were dropped within the College of Agriculture. However, the department may drop more classes in the spring, according to Boyer.

For this reason, agriculture business major Deanna Martin said she is glad to be graduating this fall.

“I won’t have to worry about paying increased tuition costs or finding classes I need to take that are not currently offered. [This] is the case with one of my coworkers who is also majoring in agriculture at Fresno State.â€Â
Boyer said the Jordan family gift will be utilized for other purposes, rather than classes.

“Two thirds of the donation will go to building an agriculture research building on campus,â€Â Boyer said. “The final third of the donation will be used to support research projects, graduate programs and new equipment. The donation also provides flexibility for supporting the department.â€Â

The facility may be used for independent study opportunities or to better students̢۪ graduate studies, Boyer said. The department also plans to invest the money to generate additional funds. Agriculture facilities may also be improved if the effort will enhance research.