News and Information for California State University Leaders.
Volume 2, No. 5: December 5, 2002

www.CalState.edu

Online Applications On the Rise — Again

In what marks the sixth year of snowballing growth for online college planning and applications, the California State University has already received nearly 50 percent more online applications for fall 2003 than it did for last fall.

CSUMentor, the web-based system that helps students plan for and apply to the CSU, received 232,934 applications between October 1 and November 30, a 47.5 percent increase over applications received during the same period last year. More than half of all CSU applicants now apply online.

"Students are sending a message loud and clear: They prefer the convenience and flexibility of the online college application process," said Allison Jones, the CSU’s assistant vice chancellor for student academic support. "During this period of heavy enrollment demand, we are continuing to ensure that CSUMentor meets prospective students’ college planning and application needs successfully."

The Los Angeles-based Xap Corporation, which designed CSUMentor in collaboration with the CSU and operates its server, reported smooth sailing and no system slowdowns during the two-month application process, even during peak application times. On November 30, the busiest day of the enrollment period, CSUMentor received 25,359 applications.

CSUMentor has experienced soaring popularity since it was first introduced in 1996. This fall’s increase follows a 69 percent increase in online applications in fall 2001, a 70 percent increase in fall 2000, and a nearly 400 percent increase in fall 1999 over the previous year.

Now that the initial fall 2003 application period has ended, CSU campuses will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis. Two campuses, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State, only accept applications during the initial filing period. CSU Chico and CSU Long Beach only accept applications from first-time freshmen during the initial filing period. Sonoma State will only accept applications from first-time freshmen through December.

CSUMentor, which is a free service, also offers multimedia campus tours, student-campus matching assistance, free e-mail accounts, academic planners that allow students to track their progress in meeting admissions requirements, and assistance in completing financial aid forms. Students pay only the application fee charged by the CSU campus when they submit an application for admission. For more information, see www.csumentor.edu.

CSU Expects Further
Budget Cuts

California’s budget will continue to be a hot topic over the next several weeks and months as lawmakers attempt to close a gaping budget shortfall and the CSU works to manage further budget cuts.

On December 9, the California Legislature will begin a special session to consider at least $7 billion in cuts to the current (2002/03) state budget. Although the CSU does not know what its share will be, its budget is certain to be cut again for the second half of the academic year.

The CSU has already taken on $43 million in one-time cuts and another $22.8 million in unfunded cost increases this year, while managing nearly unprecedented student enrollment growth. CSU leaders are currently working with the Department of Finance to address additional current year cost-savings measures and budget reductions.

For 2003/04, the budget outlook continues to be grim as California faces a projected budget shortfall near $30 billion. The CSU is anticipating further major cuts when Gov. Davis releases his 2003/04 state budget proposal on January 10.

The CSU Leader will continue to report on this issue as more details become available.