Projected Enrollment Demand at California's Independent Colleges and Universities. Executive Summary. Report 10-16

Projected Enrollment Demand at California's Independent Colleges and Universities. Executive Summary. Report 10-16
Author: California Postsecondary Education Commission
Publisher:
Total Pages: 2
Release: 2010
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ISBN:

The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) has recently completed a series of enrollment demand projections for higher education in California. The projections show that enrollment demand at the independent universities will grow to 150,000 students by 2019, an increase of nearly 21,000 from current levels. Although UC (University of California) and CSU (California State University) account for 80% of undergraduate enrollments in the state, growth at independent universities can make a significant contribution to California's need for more university places. The increase in enrollment projected for the independents is comparable to the increase in enrollment demand projected for the UC system. CPEC's enrollment demand projections for the public systems show that if California is to restore access to higher education at the level it was before the recent recession, UC and CSU will be asked to serve 74,000 more students in 2019 than they did in 2008. Studies by the Public Policy Institute of California indicate that university enrollments might need to increase even more than this for California to produce enough university graduates to meet workforce needs as the state's economy recovers. The independent universities could take some enrollment pressure off UC and CSU and help increase degree production in California. Policymakers will need to assess whether the state should take action to encourage more enrollment at the independents. Financial aid can make these institutions an affordable option for many students. [For the related reports, see the following: "Ready for Learning: The Contribution of California's Independent Colleges and Universities in Meeting Undergraduate Demand. Report 10-17" (ED512401); and "Ready or Not, Here They Come: The Complete Series of Undergraduate Enrollment Demand and Capacity Projections, 2009-2019. Report 10-08" (ED510323).].

Implications of State and Local Policy on Community College Transfer in California

Implications of State and Local Policy on Community College Transfer in California
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:

Lower division transfer preparation for the university has been the primary mission of community colleges since their inception, creating an important pathway to baccalaureate degree attainment for many students who may not otherwise have the opportunity for higher education. Once considered fairly straightforward, the transfer pathway has become overly complex and difficult for students to navigate. The underlying issues with community college transfer are multifaceted and profound, and often the focus of much attention by public policy makers. This study explored the extent to which the complexity with transfer is rooted in flawed state and local policy coupled with insufficient capacity to meet the growing demand for postsecondary education at many public universities in California. This embedded case study examined the transfer pathway in one large region in southern California in the first decade of the 21st century. The study investigated the implications of flawed public policy and insufficient capacity at some public universities on the development of local policy, and the unintended consequences for transfer students who are denied admission to transfer. Further, the study described how these policy decisions are hindering access and equity in the public postsecondary education system in the region under investigation. Amidst fluctuating economic conditions, the public higher education system in California has struggled to meet increasing enrollment demand. Notwithstanding the ongoing deterioration in state appropriations for higher education in California, the need for increased baccalaureate degree attainment to meet the future economic demands of the state is more critical than ever.