The Southwest Voice

The office of the chancellor has amended the original plan of closing all 23 CSU campuses to first-time freshman applications on Feb. 1. Now seven campuses, including Cal State Bakersfield, will be allowed to remain open to new first-time freshmen applicants until March 1.

This change was made after detailed analyses of application trends suggested that there would be a severe negative impact on access for local students.

Prospective freshmen wishing to attend CSUB in the fall quarter must have their application submitted no later than March 1. The application deadline does not apply to fully eligible upper division transfer students, international students and non-resident students.

“We are pleased the deadline has been extended slightly, but students wishing to attend CSUB in the fall will need to act quickly,” said CSUB President Horace Mitchell. “We will continue our all-out effort to be in the high schools and to offer assistance with the application process. We cannot stress enough the importance of submitting an application to a CSU campus prior to the March 1st deadline.”

CSUB will be holding on-site admission sessions at many local high schools. School counselors have the details for each campus. Applications may also be submitted online at www.csumentor.edu.

The decision to stop accepting applications for the fall term is in response to the $386.1 million shortfall in state funding to the CSU as proposed in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2008-09 state budget. This funding gap will mean that 10,000 eligible students will not have access to the CSU this fall. The CSU along with faculty, staff and student groups will seek legislative support for the full CSU budget proposal.

For more information, call the admissions and records office at 654-3036.