CSUF Enrollment at Record High
Enrollment at Cal State Fullerton climbed to its highest level ever this year: 27,167 students, an increase of 5.8% over 1998.
In addition, CSUF’s gain of 1,492 students was the largest among California State University’s 22 campuses. Nearby Cal State Long Beach had the next largest gain, 1,374. Nineteen of the state universities showed increases in enrollments.
Because of baby boomers’ babies going to college, what is known as Tidal Wave II, the number of students in the Cal State system has increased for the fifth consecutive year. During that period, enrollment has increased by 40,000, a 12.6% gain.
Next year’s enrollment is expected to be the highest ever, exceeding the 369,053 students who attended the state universities 10 years earlier. A recent report from the California Post Secondary Education Commission said 120,000 more students will attend state university campuses during the next decade.
Cal State Fullerton’s growth spurt, which began in 1995, is similar to one 30 years ago, when enrollment doubled between 1966 and 1971.
To accommodate the current increase, state university campuses are resorting to teaching more classes off campus, on closed circuit TV and during year-round sessions.
CSUF, for example, has satellite campuses in Mission Viejo, Irvine, Garden Grove and Santa Ana.
“We’re not going to be able to accommodate this many students with the buildings we have,” said Ken Swisher, a Cal State system spokesman.
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