California State University to Cut Enrollment in 2009-10?

In mid-November, major news sources reported that the California State University system was feeling the stress of inadequate funding. The school claimed it had plans to cut their enrollment by 10,000 students unless they received more money from state lawmakers.

A First for the School
The largest school system in the country, California State University enrolls some 450,000 students. If they do cut enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year, this would mark the first time in history when the California State University system turned away students who otherwise met admission standards. Not surprisingly, the reaction to this statement was one of frustration and anger. Many students who have worked hard for the opportunity to attend the nation’s largest school system would now be denied that chance. Protestors gathered recently in Long Beach to display their disappointment over state budget cuts.
Increased Demand Brings Troubles
Chancellor Reed points to increased enrollment, including more applications from community college transfers, as part of the problem. He claims that the school has already served 10,000 students even though the state did not provide money for them. With further cuts possible to a budget already lacking $215 million in needed funding, the system can’t meet this increased demand without increased funding.

Real Solutions?
The chancellor said it may push up deadlines for applications and raise the bar for incoming freshmen on the more popular of its 23 campuses. Students transferring from community colleges nearby would have priority, and current students in good standing would be protected. This places the weight of the cuts on out-of-state and international students, and freshman enrolling at a Cal State campus outside their area.
Cal State Not Alone in Struggle
But apparently Cal State isn’t alone in its financial challenges. The University of California also hinted at limited admission at popular campuses, and to sending students to less crowded schools like Merced and Riverside. State community college officials say they probably won’t limit students, but may not be able to offer students full access to the classes they need.

Some Cal State campuses, including San Francisco and San Jose among others, will take qualified students from their communities but students from other parts of the state may need higher GPAs and test scores to gain acceptance. Officials at Cal State explain that capping enrollment is a better solution than increased class size or fewer course selections—solutions they tried when faced with an economic downturn in the 1990s.

Source: Holland, Gale. “CSU may cut future enrollment by 10,000”, latimes.com, November 18, 2008