California State University Board of Trustees gathered to vote on the proposed $4.5 billion budget for the 2007-08 school year in Long Beach on Tuesday and Wednesday .

The $4.5 billion budget, which was officially accepted on Wednesday, includes $3 billion from the general state fund, $183.3 million from reimbursements and $1.3 billion from university fee revenues.

According to the CSU website, the budget recognizes the funding agreement under the Compact for Higher Education, which requests a 4 percent general operation increase, $64.2 million to fund enrollment growth and an additional $65.2 million to avoid increasing student fees by 10 percent.

“We all agree that college affordability is critical to ensure a well-prepared workforce for the future of California,” CSU Trustees Chair Roberta Achtenberg said.

Along with these funds, the budget also recommends an additional $71.7 million to fund ongoing programs including K-12 math and science teachers, nursing programs and special education teachers, according to the website.

While trustees approved the budget, it is pending approval from the state.

If the governor and the Legislature accept the budget, the CSU system will continue to have the lowest undergraduate fees amongst the California Postsecondary Education Commission’s 15 higher-education public institutions, according to a press release.

In addition, funding priorities are formed with considerations of long-term goals and needs of the university, under the authority of trustees, campus presidents, Academic Senate representatives and members of the Budget Advisory Committee.

“I’m glad that it was approved,” said Paul Browning, the media relations specialist for the chancellor’s office. “There is not going to be any increase in fees because we are going to be working with the governor to keep them down.”

Ashley Evans can be reached at [email protected]