16% rise in undergrads on California's state campuses predicted
Report cites need for funding to cope with the expected enrollment crush. An additional 387,000 undergraduates are expected by 2019.
 Students crowd the bike rack area at UC Santa Barbara. By 2019, 387,000 additional undergraduates are expected on state campuses. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times / January 13, 2010) |
California's public colleges and universities must prepare to serve 387,000 more undergraduates by 2019 than in 2008 -- a 16% increase -- and will need an additional $1.5 billion in enrollment funding for the task, according to a report released Wednesday by the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
By 2019, demand for slots at California's community colleges is expected to rise by 313,253 students, according to the report. At the California State University and the University of California, demand will peak several years earlier, according to the projections, making the need for funding solutions more immediate.
Called "Ready or Not, Here They Come," the forecast was presented at a commission meeting in Sacramento. It is designed to provide short- and long-term guidance to the governor and Legislature as they assess funding needs for higher education. The commission is responsible for statewide education planning and coordination.
The report also said that if the state does not fully fund enrollment for the three college systems, at least to 2008-09 levels, as many as 277,000 students face being turned away next school year.
The report's release comes as California grapples with a fiscal crisis that has eaten into state support for higher education by more than $1 billion in the last two years, resulting in fee increases, furloughs and elimination of courses, the report says.
By 2019, demand for slots at California's community colleges is expected to rise by 313,253 students, according to the report. At the California State University and the University of California, demand will peak several years earlier, according to the projections, making the need for funding solutions more immediate.
Called "Ready or Not, Here They Come," the forecast was presented at a commission meeting in Sacramento. It is designed to provide short- and long-term guidance to the governor and Legislature as they assess funding needs for higher education. The commission is responsible for statewide education planning and coordination.
The report also said that if the state does not fully fund enrollment for the three college systems, at least to 2008-09 levels, as many as 277,000 students face being turned away next school year.
The report's release comes as California grapples with a fiscal crisis that has eaten into state support for higher education by more than $1 billion in the last two years, resulting in fee increases, furloughs and elimination of courses, the report says.
