In January 2003, the Governor proposed cuts to the California Community College system which would have reduced funding to the District by about $15 million. After a long debate within the Legislature, the final budget approved in August included smaller cuts to community colleges, reducing funding to the District by about $3.5 million.

         At Coastline Community College, Golden West College and Orange Coast College, the smaller cut means more courses can be added to the Spring 2004 schedule, making it easier for students to find a seat in the classes they need to finish their degrees or transfer to a four-year university.

         Over the last two years, 2,670 courses have been cut from the three colleges’ schedules due to state budget cuts. Thanks to this move, 250 will be added back in the Spring 2004 semester. CCCD Chancellor Bill Vega said reinstating classes is a top priority for the District. However, Vega said the District must still budget conservatively due to the continued fiscal uncertainty for community colleges statewide.

         “Given the recent gubernatorial recall election and the continuing turmoil in Sacramento, our budget situation is still uncertain,” said Vega. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our students more classes, but we have made this move very cautiously. We cannot over-extend ourselves when mid-year funding cuts are still a possibility, and when next year’s state funding levels for community colleges are predicted to be reduced even further.”

         Orange Coast College will add 140 classes to its spring schedule, Golden West College will add 80 classes and Coastline Community College will add 30. Colleges will work hard to add classes in areas where the highest student demand exists. In addition, the colleges will strive to add large lecture classes when possible, to accommodate the highest number of students.

         Spring schedules will be available soon on the colleges’ web sites. On-line schedules will be updated daily as classes are added or filled.

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.

###