The Chancellor’s Office held a press conference last Wednesday prior to a hearing before the Assembly Higher Education Committee to review and potentially recommend overhauling the state’s higher education funding mechanism, including the funding mechanism for community colleges.

State Chancellor Tom Nussbaum has expressed concern that community colleges throughout the state are increasingly unable to meet strong enrollment demands for their programs and services.

At the colleges within the Coast Community College District, enrollment has dropped after a series of budget cuts forced colleges to cut the number of course offerings for students.

“Our colleges are doing everything they can to maximize the number of students they are able to serve, but the District could not absorb $9 million dollars in state funding reductions over the last two years without impacting students,” said CCCD Board President Paul Berger. “The board realizes that the colleges are being forced to turn students away from classes they need to meet their educational goals.”
Below are specifics regarding the number of courses cut from our colleges’ schedules over the last three semesters, and the resulting drop in enrollment.

Orange Coast College

Over the last three semesters (Spring ’03, Summer ’03, Fall ’03), OCC has cut approximately 1300 courses from its class schedule, 500 of which were cut from this fall’s schedule. This fall, 10.9% fewer students attend OCC, with an 8.9% drop in seat count.

Golden West College

Over the last three semesters, Golden West College has cut more than 856 courses from its schedule, including 250 this fall. Enrollment has dropped by 8.1% in headcount and 2.8% in seat count.

Coastline Community College

Coast Community College cut 243 courses from its schedule this fall. CCC has enrolled 7.7% fewer students this fall, and has experienced a 9% drop in seat count.

Intersession schedules for January 2004 will also likely be cut at Golden West and Orange Coast this winter. Students are encouraged to register for classes as early as possible for the best chance to get the classes they need.

The Assembly Higher Education Committee will hold follow-up hearings throughout the fall on education funding in California. A discussion focused on community college funding is slated for November 18 in Sacramento.

        The Coast Community College District is the seventh largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving more than 60,000 students each semester. The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district’s public broadcasting station.