When music education major Justine Louie transferred to Fresno State, she expected to graduate within two years.

However, when a required piano course wasn’t offered last semester due to limited space and funding, she was told her graduation could be delayed by a full year.

“They told me it was going to push my graduation back a whole year, and that was really hard because my dad has cancer and he really wants to watch me graduate,” Louie said. “I didn’t know if he would make it that long.”

Louie took her situation to the administration to appeal; however, with limited staffing and few available piano courses, there was little flexibility.

“I had to email the department chair and explain my situation, but there wasn’t much they could do,” she said. “I just had to hope they would offer the class again.”

Limited courses

Louie isn’t alone. As Fresno State welcomes more students, some departments across campus are struggling to offer enough seats, instructors and course sections to meet demand.

For students in majors with strict progression requirements, this can mean postponed plans, additional semesters of tuition and uncertainty about when or if they will graduate on time. 

Fresno State enrolled 24,310 students in Fall 2024, up from 23,832 in Fall 2023. In university data, enrollment has risen to 24,992 for Fall 2025. 

With crowded course requirements in music education, the issue looks different for students in music composition, where some classes are being cut entirely. 

Music composition major Christian Herrera said that if a course doesn’t meet minimum enrollment, it’s often dropped from the schedule and may not return for one or two years. He said he knows students who were preparing to graduate when required classes disappeared, forcing departments to waive them even though students needed the training those courses provide.

“If a class doesn’t have the preferred amount of students, they just drop it,” Herrera said.

The Collegian reached out to the School of Music department chair, Cari Earnhart for comment, but did not receive a response.

The challenges extend beyond the School of Music. 

When Viviana Berberia transferred into Fresno State’s speech pathology program, she was initially told her major was “small.” But when she tried to register for a required course, all the seats were already filled, and missing it would have pushed her graduation back a semester.

The department eventually opened another section after students contacted officials, but Berberia said the situation could have been prevented altogether.

“We shouldn’t have to panic about falling behind when we’re just trying to follow our roadmap,” Berberia said.

Parking adds another barrier 

Parking has also become a daily challenge for many students.

Narriman Kiran, a biochemistry major, said that even when she arrives early for her 8 a.m. class, the closest student lots are already full.

“I still end up walking 10 to 15 minutes to class and sometimes I’m late because of it,” Kiran said. “It’s not that I’m showing up late. There just aren’t enough spots close to campus.”

Out of six students The Collegian spoke with about parking, five said they had difficulty finding a spot despite planning and arriving early.

In an email, Provost Xuanning Fu said data shows that 700 to 800 student parking spaces are typically available during peak hours, mostly in lots near the Save Mart Center. Fu noted that location and convenience play a role in the student experience, which is why the Bulldog Express Shuttle is now back in order, as of Nov. 3.

“We understand that peak-hour parking can feel challenging,” Fu said. “We’re working closely with our transportation team to enhance the overall experience.”

Student leaders call for state support

Student government leaders say the challenge ultimately comes down to state-level funding. Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Camalah Saleh said Fresno State’s enrollment growth reflects strong demand from Central Valley students, but added that the university needs additional support from the California State University system and the state to expand course offerings and resources.

“It’s a good thing that more students want to come here,” Saleh said. “But if we don’t get the funding to match that demand, classes and resources will fall short.”

Saleh said ASI is advocating at the state and systemwide levels to secure more funding. 

For Louie, the concern was never just about a degree. It was about time running alongside it. 

After the piano course was offered again this semester, she remains on track to graduate.

Still, like many students navigating crowded registration systems, limited course sections and long walks from far-off parking lots, she’s just trying to make everything line up on time.