For the first time in its century-long history, San Jose State University is turning away qualified students from its incoming freshman class, citing the state budget crisis.
All eligible Santa Clara County students have been accepted. But 4,400 students from outside the county were rejected, then directed to California State University campuses that have more room. But it means some students who had hoped to enter San Jose State's unique meteorology program or rigorous engineering program out of luck. And those who only applied to San Jose State — ignoring advice to apply to multiple colleges — may now find community college is their only option.
"It is very painful," said Veril Phillips, San Jose State's vice president for student affairs. "Unfortunately it was our only alternative."
University officials blame the budget for the enrollment cuts; overall the CSU system got 10 percent — $283 million — less than officials say they need. On Nov. 20, CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed asked every campus to cap enrollment because funding hasn't kept pace with a growing student body. For SJSU, that meant a 9 percent reduction — 29,750 students in the 2009-2010 school year, down from 32,750 in 2008-2009.
"The situation is unprecedented," said Phillips. "We've never had a situation where there were so many applicants and we were not able to accommodate them."
