CSU's Move To Halt Spring 2013 Admissions "Hurts Students"

In preparation for Gov. Jerry Brown's tax measure proposed for the November ballot, Sonoma State is taking a drastic step — weighing a proposal not to admit new students in Spring 2013.

The Sacramento Bee is reporting today that 64 percent of California voters support the quarter-cent sales tax over a four-year period, and another tax for people who make more than $250,000 for seven years. However, if it doesn't pass, Sonoma State will be one of eight campuses out of the 23 California State University system who will not halt admissions entirely next year.

Instead, the university will severely limit students for the spring 2013 semester. Sonoma State students responded with shock and worry following the university's decision last week — a move brought during a procession of budget cuts and financial shortfalls. University officials said this mostly impacts students transferring from community colleges.

“When I heard Sonoma was limiting student acceptance, it made me worry about my sister, who will be applying near that time frame,” said junior Lindsey Arone. “At least our campus isn’t completely shutting out students; there is still a possibility for people to get in here.”

Not all students agreed with Sonoma’s decision to still allow applicants, however, and instead felt the school should follow the leads of other universities.

“We should be stopping student acceptances now and putting our focus on the students we already have enrolled,” said senior Greg Meyer. “If we cut spring admissions, maybe students could graduate on time instead of fighting for classes. I’m a super senior and I have to compete to get in to smaller classes with more and more students also trying to get in.”

With the CSUs facing another $200 million cut if Brown’s proposal doesn’t pass, Sonoma could see a $4.5 million slash to the school, according to an email sent to the campus by President Ruben Armiñana on March 2. With the $2.3 million cut that occurred in December becoming permanent, students are fearful of what other effects may occur.

“I think it makes sense, if there is not enough money for the students that are already there to get their classes. If there is no money, there is no money and there is no way around that,” said senior Nicole Hiebert. “I don't find it to be a great idea to not let students in admission to the school, but this is a difficult time for the California economy and you can't have classes for all students when there is no money.”

Fellow senior Jessica Heering agreed, saying she felt that students already have a difficult enough time just trying to graduate. If more and more students come to the schools, classes will be that much harder to get.

“We are told that we must get out of college in four years. However, who really knows what the hell they want to do at 17 or 18 or even 19 or 20,” asked Heering. “We are pushed into becoming something out of necessity, instead of expanding our intellectual and spiritual sense of self through the use of an integrated education."

University officials called the idea a major blow to transfer students.

"Not accepting students hurts transfer students, who were planning to transfer for the spring term," said Gustavo Flores, Sonoma State's director of admissions and recruitment. "The effect of not admitting students for the spring creates a backlog of students for the fall term."

"California is facing some very serious budget issues that are affecting students in higher education," he added.