Features

CSU enrollment breaks record, chancellor wants more funding

By Chelsea J. Carter The Associated Press
Friday November 01, 2002

LONG BEACH — Enrollment at California State University has reached a record 406,896 students, due in part to a shaky state economy and the growing number of children of baby boomers headed to college, the chancellor said Thursday. 

The record enrollment reflects an increase of 18,291 students, or 5 percent over last year. It was the eighth consecutive year of growth at the nation’s largest public university system. 

With the children of baby boomers reaching college age and the growing demand by high school students for a college education, the postsecondary education commission estimated an additional 120,000 students would enter the university system by the 2010. 

But with the state’s slowing economy sending people back to college, Chancellor Charles B. Reed said the enrollment increase has put increased pressure on the university’s campuses. 

“Our only worry is that the state budget problems may mean tighter enrollments next year if we are not fully funded for all enrolled students,” Reed said. 

The CSU was funded for an additional 15,000 students this fiscal year, bringing its budget to more than $3 billion. Reed has said the CSU will need an additional $400 million to handle next year’s expected enrollment increase. 

The news of the enrollment boom came as Reed met with trustees to discuss funding for next year. 

Reed urged trustees, faculty and staff members to find ways to ease enrollment pressures. He advocated the use of online classes and an integrated use of computer and classroom teaching techniques that require students to meet in class just once a week. 

“We really can’t keep taking the students without being funded for it,” said Richard West, CSU’s executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer. “ 

“If we don’t get the funding, we will have to tighten enrollment requirements.” 

The chancellor also has given permission to some campuses to close open registration periods. 

Enrollment at the Long Beach and San Diego campuses must be made in November for the following school year, West said. 

CSU Sacramento cut off registration in May and June, instead of enrolling students right up to the start of fall classes after Labor Day. 

“They’re trying to put the best face possible on it, but already they’re saying they’re going to have to limit enrollment again this spring,” said Jon Ortiz, a 40-year-old returning student from Sacramento. “Even with the cutoff, we’ve had a thousand more students enrolled. A lot of students are having to beg to add” classes. 

CSU has already tightened its enrollment requirements for high school students and aligned its entrance requirements with the University of California. It also expanded its summer school and online classes. 

Among the options the CSU may also consider is requiring community college students to complete their two-year lower division course work before transferring to CSU.