2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: College not to blame for lack of classes
Issue date: 11/22/02 Section: Opinion
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Does it seem that there are fewer classes being offered at Yuba College? Have you tried to register for classes that you need to take for your major or to transfer, only to find those classes no longer available? Did you get annoyed and blame Yuba College for your misfortunes?
Well, here's a heads-up for you: Yuba College's trustees and administrators are not to blame. In fact, almost all of California's community colleges have students in the same boat, and it's all thanks to the ridiculously overspent budget plan of the state legislators.
If you can't find that particular history class you need on the schedule next semester and want to place blame on someone, blame our very own state government. The truth really lies in the money.
Mike Dencavage, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Business Services, states, "Certainly it is a very strong issue that we want to be able to serve our students." Unfortunately, with the state's expected 21-billion dollar deficit, as determined by the legislative analyst for the 2003-2004 term, California community colleges no longer have the monetary incentive to encourage increased student enrollment.
This leaves Yuba College with no real push to offer more classes because there might not be enough state money coming in to pay for them. Governor Davis and the state legislature have imposed a "cap" on enrollment growth that will be funded by California.
As stated in the 2003-2004 Final Budget for the Yuba Community College District, "Each Community College has a unique growth cap determined by the adult population change and high school graduation rate."
This growth cap is based on the population growth within the Yuba Community College multi-county district. The formula, however, does not consider the total increased enrollment at Yuba College.
For instance, for the 2002-2003 academic year, the Business Services office projects an average 5.34 percent increase in student enrollment, but based on the Chancellor's Office estimate, the maximum that Yuba College will be funded is for a 3.85 percent increase.
Well, here's a heads-up for you: Yuba College's trustees and administrators are not to blame. In fact, almost all of California's community colleges have students in the same boat, and it's all thanks to the ridiculously overspent budget plan of the state legislators.
If you can't find that particular history class you need on the schedule next semester and want to place blame on someone, blame our very own state government. The truth really lies in the money.
Mike Dencavage, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Business Services, states, "Certainly it is a very strong issue that we want to be able to serve our students." Unfortunately, with the state's expected 21-billion dollar deficit, as determined by the legislative analyst for the 2003-2004 term, California community colleges no longer have the monetary incentive to encourage increased student enrollment.
This leaves Yuba College with no real push to offer more classes because there might not be enough state money coming in to pay for them. Governor Davis and the state legislature have imposed a "cap" on enrollment growth that will be funded by California.
As stated in the 2003-2004 Final Budget for the Yuba Community College District, "Each Community College has a unique growth cap determined by the adult population change and high school graduation rate."
This growth cap is based on the population growth within the Yuba Community College multi-county district. The formula, however, does not consider the total increased enrollment at Yuba College.
For instance, for the 2002-2003 academic year, the Business Services office projects an average 5.34 percent increase in student enrollment, but based on the Chancellor's Office estimate, the maximum that Yuba College will be funded is for a 3.85 percent increase.