Record Spring Enrollment Has CSUN Scrambling to Supply Classes

The first thing 18-year-old Massoud Mehdizad learned at California State University, Northridge this week was a frustrating lesson in supply and demand as he joined crowds of other students in overflowing classrooms who pleaded with instructors to let them into their courses.

CSUN is experiencing its highest spring enrollment ever, school officials say, and students, including Mehdizad, are practically packed to the rafters in attempts to get classes they need.

“Every class I’ve gone to, there’s been at least 20 people trying to add, and two places available,” griped Mehdizad, an engineering major, Friday, three days after the semester began.

Earl Weiss, an accounting professor, estimated that he has already turned away 30 students this semester. Students “line up all the way around the room and into the hall” trying to gain admittance to his classes, he said. With his courses filled, he turns most of them away.

Lorraine Newlon, director of the office of admissions and records, attributed the surge to a heightened interest in university education, tougher entrance requirements by the University of California system and CSUN’s location, which enables many students to attend college while living at home in the San Fernando Valley.

Counts on No-Shows

The crowding problem occurs because Northridge traditionally has approved more applicants than it has room for because a number of those accepted do not show up.

Although school officials acknowledge that CSUN has been over-enrolled for five years, they said the problem is worse this year than ever. Enrollment reached an all-time high of 28,796 last fall. As of Friday, spring enrollment stood at 27,305,--1,014 more students than last year at this time, said John Swanson, coordinator of institutional research.

Fall enrollment traditionally surpasses that of the spring semester. However, both figures represent a record, Newlon said.

To cope with the enrollment boom, Northridge is taking several unprecedented steps this year, school officials said.

The university expects to close fall, 1986, admission for new freshmen when it receives 6,000 applications, probably in late January, Newlon said. Undergraduate programs in business administration, computer science, engineering and physical therapy already are closed.

Because all classrooms are booked during peak hours, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the university has received approval to look for an off-campus building of at least 3,000 square feet, Newlon said. The building would be used to teach classes and house administrative and student support services, said Delia Rudiger, director of academic affairs resources. Also under consideration is the use of trailers or other temporary structures, a step requiring approval by the chancellor’s office.

Last fall, because of its record enrollment, CSUN was able to obtain additional state funds to hire about 30 more instructors and add 150 classes, Swanson said. But the school still faces a shortage of classrooms and qualified teachers in such fields as engineering, he said.

Friday, several teachers expressed frustration at the over-enrollment and said it has detracted from their teaching.

“I’ve spent most of my time this week listening to students explain why they desperately need this class and rationing the few available spots instead of teaching,” said Rick Friedman, a professor of economics, summing up the sentiments voiced by some of his colleagues.