With the omnipresent budget cuts, students at Cerritos College have yet another concern to deal with, the issue of transferring.
In the past four years, the California Community Colleges have seen a 15.9 percent head count increase.
Already with a record of 2,913,735 students in the California Community College system, these numbers are still predicted to go up even further.
“It is difficult to distinguish where the students are coming from. Are they displaced UC and CSU students? Are they employees who were laid off from their jobs? This is still an issue that is definitely unknown,” said Alice van Ommeren, Information Systems & Analysis Specialist for the California Community Colleges.
During a time when students are flocking to Cerritos College, it is difficult to ascertain how exactly a malnourished program expects to respond to this emerging need.
This fall semester, Cerritos College has reduced its fall course offerings by 20 percent compared to the same time last year.
This could emerge as a problem that will continue to leave Cerritos College overcrowded and students jockeying for classes.
With fewer courses offered, it is more difficult than ever to get into the classes that have the highest demand for those required to take them in order to transfer.
With a record number of students attempting to transfer to a four-year university, the budget cuts are making it difficult for many to find a place to transfer to.
One of the biggest concerns is that the CSU and UC systems are no longer accepting spring transfers, even though only a handful of UC schools have ever accepted spring transfers.
This is the first time many can ever remember CSUs doing so. This is leaving many concerned about their future and unsure exactly where to go for help.
“It’s ridiculous that when a student has their stuff done and ready to transfer, that they have to wait, it’s frustrating,” said Olga Olaes, criminology major.
One of the ways the faculty is disseminating useful information is through the transfer center that has the most updated resources on student transfer issues.
It even offers tours of local UC and CSU campuses and very helpfull couselors.
“I think that students, with the help of counselors, will need to adjust the way they approach transfer and long term planning.
“We will all need to be flexible and understand that during these tight budget times we will need to plan for fall transfer and consider winter/spring as a remote possibility if the university decides to open its doors,” said Brittany Lundeen Counselor/Transfer Center co-director.
Through all the uncertainty, Cerritos College faculty is staying dedicated to help give students every opportunity to succeed.
“We offer specialized supportive services, geared to meet the individual students’ needs. We offer many workshops and services to make the transition easier for students,” said Renee De Long Chomiak, dean of Counseling Services.
