Class cuts catch students off-guard

By Dana Parker-McClain

Students will face the wrath of budget cuts this semester, but the administration says efforts have been made to limit the cuts in classes.

“ We are offering more classes this spring than last spring,” said Interim Provost Jeronima Echeverria. “Last spring we scheduled 6,318 classes and we cancelled 601. This year we scheduled 6,239 and we only cancelled 331.”

“ We’re doing all we can during tough budget times to accommodate the needs of the students,” Echeverria said.

Some schools on the campus have been hit harder than others.

The colleges of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Science and Mathematics all face over 50 class cuts each.

Julianne McLeod, a sophomore pre-business major, is in danger of losing her scholarship because she can’t find classes that are open and will fit her schedule.

“ Every time I try to get into economics, the classes are full,” she said. “I can only take classes in the evening and need to take 12 units to maintain scholarship. The problem is that I can’t find 12 units to sign up for.”

Echeverria said there is a student who invariably has a conflict and administration tries to accommodate them.

But McLeod said the department wasn’t very accommodating when they notified her of a class cancellation.

“ They sent an email saying the class was cancelled and, by the way, all the other sections of economics are full,” McLeod said.

She said she was told she may be able to get into a class by e-mailing a teacher, but there were no guarantees.

Bernie Vinovrski, Vice President of enrollment services, said there are various ways administration can influence enrollment, but cutting classes has not been one of the devices used.

“ The highest priority is getting students their classes,” he said.

It’s ridiculous to make people take six to seven years to graduate because they can’t get the general classes they need, Vinovrski said.

With enrollment numbers three percent above target this semester, helping students graduate could help clear space for new enrollment.

Vinovrski said the university expects 19,751 students this semester.

“ We’re bringing in 516 new transfers mid year. Normally we’d bring in 816,” he said.

Because of state budget problems, whatever you are at now is your target enrollment, he said.