The California State University system plans to eliminate 10,000 admission spots for the 2009-10 school year as a result of the state's worsening budget crisis.
Charles B. Reed, CSU chancellor, said during a press conference Monday that enrollment reductions will be felt throughout the 23-campus system, although popular colleges that already are over-enrolled – such as Long Beach State and San Diego State University – will be affected the most.
Reed will discuss the admission reductions with trustees during their meeting on Wednesday.
Last week, the Community College League estimated that proposed budget cuts to California's community college system would result in a loss of 262,000 students.
Reed said enrollment limits have taken place at a handful of campuses in the past, but never systemwide.
Total enrollment in the CSU system, the largest four-year university in the country, is about 460,000 students. The reduction in admission spots would lower that figure to about 450,000.
"We're forced into this decision," Reed said.
University officials are expecting the state to cut their budget by $97 million for the second half of the 2008-09 school year, and Reed said: "There are no resources for growth in 2009-2010."
In a statement released after Monday's announcement, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said, "Now, of all times, California needs to continue investing in its most important economic driver – a quality public education system."
Many CSU campuses will shorten their fall application period for the 2009-10 year by several months – ending Nov. 30 for freshmen. At campuses like California State University, Sacramento, which isn't over- enrolled, the deadline for freshman applications will remain March 1.
Transfer students will have until June 1 to apply.
Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez expects the admission cutback to have minimal impact at his campus.
Gonzalez said Sacramento State's enrollment has stayed stable in the past two years. Fall 2007 enrollment was 28,845. This fall it was 29,011.
Even so, university officials encourage prospective freshmen not to wait until the last minute to submit their admission applications.
"Higher education is the system fuel for California's economic growth. We're rapidly running out of that fuel," Lt. Gov. John Garamendi said at Monday's press conference.
William Hauck, a CSU trustee, warned that by reducing the number of students admitted to the California State University system, "The people who are needed in the work force won't be there."
Call The Bee's Walter Yost, (916) 321-1146.
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