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Questions
& Answers
Posted 26 Jan 2000
Q: Where
do these UC enrollment growth numbers come from?
A: The
projected enrollment by the Office of the President was based on several
factors and includes new freshmen, transfer students and a growth in graduate
students.
The new
freshman estimates come from projections by the Demographic Research Unit
of the Department of Finance. They are based on the number of high school
students graduating between now and 2010. UC plans to enroll at least
the same proportion of California high school graduates in the future
as it does now.
The estimate
of transfer students is based on a systemwide memorandum of an understanding
with community colleges that will increase community college transfers
by 40 percent to 14,500 per year.
The graduate
student enrollment reflects the number of graduate students UC faculty
say is necessary to maintain the quality and character of the research
university education and to continue to do research that significantly
contributes to California's economy and quality of life.
Q: Why
is the rate of growth higher than expected?
A: The
university had planned for growth, projecting an estimated 39,000 additional
students through 2010. The current projection of 63,000 additional students
systemwide reflects, among other factors, a turn around in the California
economy that has triggered more than anticipated population growth and
stronger demand for college participation.
Q: How
did UC decide how many students each campus should absorb ?
A: The
Office of the President determined that a proportional distribution of
the additional enrollment growth based on each campus's long range development
plan would be the most reasonable allocation. Already UC Riverside is
expected to grow by 108 percent through 2010, and Irvine and San Diego
also are planning for major growth of 76 percent and 64 percent respectively.
It said that to ask a few of the campuses to accommodate all the growth
would be unreasonable and could jeopardize the quality of the academic
programs.
Q: Berkeley
has been asked to explore the feasibility of accommodating 4,000 additional
students over the next 10 years. Is this number final?
A: None
of the campus numbers are final, and there may be some changes made as
campuses and local communities work through the public review process
of new long range development plans. The Office of the President, however,
believes the estimate of 63,000 additional students systemwide will remain
firm.
Q: Isn't
Berkeley already coming close to the enrollment total agreed upon with
the city of Berkeley in the Long Range Development Plan?
A: Yes.
The plan currently in effect runs through 2005, when the two-semester
average enrollment was targeted at 29,450. (This is based on total head
count, which is different from the full-time equivalent measure of enrollment
projections.) Any major change proposed to the LRDP will necessitate an
environmental impact review and significant public input.
Q: How
are the campuses to pay for the faculty who will teach these additional
students and for the services and facilities they will need?
A: The
Office of the President has said that funding for capital improvements
and on-going operational costs are the responsibility of the state as
a whole.
Further,
the study committee at Berkeley appointed by the chancellor stated one
of its planning principles as: "The first call on the funding we receive
for increased enrollment must be to cover the costs of instruction, including
administrative overhead and student services."
Q: What
happens after 2010? Is more growth expected?
A: The
current projections call for a leveling off of the rate of enrollment
growth after 2010.
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