Lowering Enrollment

Budget Cuts Force California State University to Close 2010 Spring Admissions

July 9, 2009

From the CSU Chancellor's Office

As part of an overall strategy to address an unprecedented budget reduction of $584 million for 2009-10, California State University campuses will not accept student applications for the 2010 spring term – with very few exceptions.

In addition, quarter campuses that have been accepting admission applications for the 2010 winter term ceased accepting applications as of July 6.

“Only fully-eligible, first-time freshmen, upper-division undergraduate transfers or graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants who have applied for admission prior to July 6 may be offered admission to the 2010 winter term,” said Jeri Echeverria, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer.

In addition, no admission applications will be accepted for the 2010 spring term at either quarter or semester campuses, for any enrollment category. CSU has typically admitted more than 35,000 freshmen, undergraduate transfer and graduate students during the spring term.

Despite budget cuts, CSU’s enrollment for the past several years has exceeded the state funding received for each student. Echeverria said that the measure is needed to bring enrollment in line with available resources.

Overall, CSU is looking to reduce its enrollment by 40,000 students systemwide for 2010-11 through a combination of enrollment tools. The decision to close spring admissions is part of the overall effort to reduce enrollment.

CSU has been working to finalize a plan to address the unprecedented budget cut, which will include measures to reduce enrollment, employee furloughs, possible student fee increases, salary and hiring freezes, and restrictions on travel and purchases. The CSU Board of Trustees will consider the overall plan to address student fees, enrollment and employee furlough plans at its July 21 meeting.