Higher Numbers of Students Take Part in Cal State Fullerton’s Summer Session

Cal State Fullerton’s summer session is in full swing with 50 percent more classes and a 28 percent increase in enrollment over 2002.

This summer, 1,058 classes are being offered on the main campus and at the university’s El Toro Campus combined, during the five-segment summer session that continues through Aug. 15.

So far, more than 11,000 students have registered for at least one course, including 455 enrolled only at the CSUF El Toro Campus and 559 heading for classes at both campuses. More than half the summer session student population consists of seniors, numbering 5,357.

The full-time-equivalent (FTE) student count is 3,904, including 258 at the branch campus in El Toro. One FTE equals 15 units of student course work and is the basis for allocating state funding to the campus.

“We’re pleased with the increase in enrollment, both on campus and at El Toro, during the summer session, which is helping students cut their time to degree so they can graduate sooner,” said Ephraim P. Smith, vice president for academic affairs. “It also allows the university to maximize the number of students that it can serve and is made possible by the affordable fees offered during the summer session.”

At this time last year, more than 8,000 had signed up for the 733 classes offered. In 2001 when the first state-supported summer session was launched at Fullerton, 9,000 students were enrolled in 600 summer session courses.

Prior to 2001, students attending summer session courses paid both tuition and fees. Currently, they pay only fees, which cover about 20 percent of the full cost of instruction. The difference in savings for most students is illustrated in the contrast between the $4,251 tab for nonresident and international undergraduates, who pay tuition and fees for full-time enrollment in summer session classes, and the $867 charged to undergraduate state residents.