Marisa O'Neil
Community colleges are bracing for an influx of would-be UC and
California State students despite Democrats' vows in Sacramento last
week to fight Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to redirect students
to junior colleges first.
Under Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, the UC and California
State systems must turn away nearly 10,000 eligible freshmen but can
offer them guaranteed admission after completing required courses at
a California community college. Coast Community College District
officials fear the program, called the Guaranteed Transfer Option,
may put additional strain on schools already experiencing budget
problems of their own.
"We are struggling to make as many classes as we can available to
the students we currently serve," district spokeswoman Erin Cohn
said. "If we have an influx of students redirected from UC, we have
to make sure we have enough services."
Last week, Assembly Democrats gathered with redirected students
and faculty to denounce the governor's proposal. They said they would
not pass a budget that contains such provisions.
"We must provide access and opportunity for our children,"
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) said in a press
release. "By denying qualified students the right to attend a
university, particularly after guaranteeing they would be admitted if
qualified, we're denying access and we're shattering their dreams.
This is simply unacceptable."
Two weeks ago, the state Senate budget subcommittee on education
voted to restore $500 million to higher education, which would
restore thousands of student spaces at Cal State and UC campuses. The
full Senate budget committee will consider the recommendation later
this month.
But thousands of qualified prospective students have already
received their redirection letters, leading community colleges to
wonder how to deal with the potential crush.
Schwarzenegger's proposed budget promises 3% more funds this year
to community colleges to compensate for typical enrollment growth.
But with baby boomers' children already bringing more freshmen to
college campuses, the redirected students will put a strain on
community colleges that have already been forced to cut the number of
courses offered, Cohn said.
Orange Coast College has had to cut 1,500 class sections in the
past few years. They were able to bring back 55 this spring and hope
to maintain that level or add some more.
Community colleges are lobbying for more money for the additional
