About 10,000 students will be cut from the California State University’s enrollment next year, in a decision announced Monday by CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
The Cal State system will also place a cap on the number of students attending its 23 campuses. Reed cited both the economy and the state’s $28 billion budget shortfall as reasons for the cuts.
“We can’t continue to admit more and more students without receiving adequate funding.” Ventura County Community College District students should be able to snag a spot in the university of their choice as long as they fulfill all of the CSU’s entrance requirements. “Every community college student that has an AA degree, has 60 credit hours that they’re transferring, we will accept those students,” Reed said.
Moorpark College physical education major Michael Medeiros, 19, is not swayed by CSU’s decision. “I guess it’s fair so every student can get the attention they deserve”, Medeiros said. “It makes me want to work harder.” Public affairs communication specialist Teresa Ruiz at the CSU Chancellor’s office said that community college transfer students have priority over incoming freshmen from high school, with one condition.
“Students need to be fully qualified to get that type of priority.” Ruiz also noted that the CSU universities will be utilizing service areas for each of its campuses. Students from these service areas will have priority over other students.
“They will work in their favor,” Ruiz said. Ventura County fits into the service areas of CSU Channel Islands, according to Ruiz, and also in the area of CSU Northridge, according to CSUN News and Information Director Carmen Chandler. Music major Richard Thompson, 20, finds the situation unfortunate.
“Cost is an issue right now and CSUN is really affordable,” Thompson said. MC Transfer Center Coordinator Judi Gould is encouraging all students to read the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) agreement for their CSU they desire to attend.
According to Gould, each campus has one and students should utilize Assist.org to give students specifics of what the recommendations are from their community college so they can go to their desired CSU.
“Students should also now visit the transfer center regularly and take advantage of related workshops offered,” said Gould. “As long as all requirements and deadlines are met, students should still get in to CSUCI and CSUN.” MC President Dr. Pam Eddinger also has advice to all students in these hard economic times.
“Check with a counselor to ensure you are taking the right courses, pass your quizzes, mid-terms and finals, get the most out of each class,” said Eddinger. “Don’t waste the precious resources we are fighting so hard to keep available for you. The economic issues are real – and the students need to know that. But more importantly, it is the college’s job to deal with the issues, so our students can concentrate on their future.”
Students seeking to apply to CSU for the Fall of 2009 must apply by November 30 at most CSU campuses. According to Reed, “On November 30, we plan to close down the applications for admissions to most of our campuses.”
