I am writing in response to your Sept. 1 article on De Anza College. We have finally received our budget from the state and are preparing for classes to begin September 20. The Courier is correct to note how hard we have been hit by the state's continued underfunding of higher education. Having lost more than $2 million from our operating budget, we have depended upon the incredible generosity and professionalism of our faculty and staff to reorganize, cut services where we must and still offer over 2,330 courses this fall quarter.

The college is turning no one away, has financial aid for those who need it and has a variety of new and experimental classes.

De Anza College is a remarkably strong institution, benefiting from terrific support from our local community neighbors. At the same time, we may be reaching the limit of our ability to carry out our broad educational mission unless the state increases its financial support.

But even at our financial limits we will serve our students and the broader community. We urge our neighbors to come by, enroll in our courses and attend the concerts and plays that mark our calendar. At the same time we urge everyone to help us carry the message to Sacramento that valuable local resources like De Anza deserve better support.

M. Brian Murphy

President, De Anza College