Martha Kanter, chancellor for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, is working to change that, although De Anza's ultimate funding fate is in the hands of state legislators.

At the moment, De Anza--like two-thirds of the community colleges in the state--is under-funded. The school spends a minimum of $3,700 to educate each student, which is less than the statewide average of $4,100.

As a result, Kanter has spearheaded a coalition of California community colleges advocating for continued funding from the state government.

In 2004, the California State Assembly passed a community college equalization bill--a three-year effort to bring the state's under-funded community colleges to within 90 percent of the state average. This year De Anza received $3.3 million under the bill. However, the second year of funding is uncertain since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not included it in his 2005-06 budget.

With the 2005-06 state budget due this summer, Kanter has made numerous trips to Sacramento to advocate for the equalization bill's inclusion in Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget. "We're woefully under-funded," she said.

De Anza's problems are due to a complex funding formula that combines property taxes, student fees and money from the state. Under the formula, higher-funded districts receive more state funds than lower-funded districts such as the Foothill-De Anza district. Other challenges also compound De Anza's budget problems.

According to Kanter, the cost of benefits for district staff has doubled to $23 million over the last three years.

"The rising costs of health benefits makes it difficult to balance revenues and expenses," she said.

At the same time, restrictions on enrollment at University of California and California State University campuses have increased the pressure on community colleges such as De Anza. The school is also particularly popular throughout Silicon Valley because of its national reputation and high rate transfer rate to UCs and CSUs.

"We're in survival mode," Kanter said.

De Anza President Brian Murphy said the school has worked hard to keep its programs at the highest level. He said, "We've cut everything we can without cutting to the bone. Now we're to the bone."

"It's hitting us really hard," said sophomore Sarah Joy Callahan, who is particularly disappointed by loss of funding for the arts and clubs.

"Clubs and art are huge in students' lives and gives them opportunities outside of class," she said, adding that clubs no longer have money to make trips away from campus.

Business student Reza Kazempour said many of his friends at De Anza have complained of staff and class cuts. His part-time job at the school paper has helped him manage the escalating cost of going to school, and he hopes the school's journalism program will continue to receive backing. "The tuition increases are hurting my wallet," he said.

He is not alone.

At the end of April, De Anza cut 22 staff positions and has cut core services throughout the year.

"Quality learning and technology services--all of that is at risk," Kanter said.

"The state needs to come up with a solution. If [the equalization bill] passes it would allow us to move forward toward the real costs of education."

She said the community can also help by contacting the state legislature, donating to Foothill-De Anza's foundation and by volunteering.

Even so, she said, a long-term solution is going to require more than community action. "Even fundraising isn't going to solve the public service crisis, including [funding] for such [public service] sectors as police, firefighters and nurses."

De Anza helps prepare students for all of those professions, particularly nursing. Kanter estimated the district provides half the nurses for Santa Clara County.

Murphy said the school's nursing program is highly respected in the Bay Area, but it costs De Anza $13,000 to educate each nursing student. As a result, the department can only take 25 students a year and holds a lottery for those 25 positions.

Kanter also said having at least an associate's degree is essential for employment in the increasingly sophisticated workplaces of Silicon Valley.

"If students don't get that degree, they are not going to be competitive for jobs," she said. "It's a first chance place to start."

Despite the difficulties Kanter does her best to remain upbeat. "I have to be optimistic," she said. "Higher education is fundamental to our future and to the future of our state."