Surplus of Students at California's Private Colleges

California’s Christian Colleges See Enrollments Increase

A surplus of students entered the private Christian college sector this year, forcing housing departments to increase the amount of students per dorm and even turn some dorm lounges into student housing. In spite of the increase, the private universities maintain that their academic integrity will remain in tact.

With 1293 incoming students, Biola University welcomed its largest incoming class in the school’s history this year, according to Biola Institutional Research. That brought the university’s total number of full time students to 4878, just shy of a city-imposed cap of 5000. According to Biola’s admissions department, the cap is in place so that Biola can maximize space without compromising education.

“It’s an agreed upon number between us and the city of La Mirada based on things like the number of students, parking spaces, and the number of beds,” said Andre Stephens, senior director of undergraduate admissions. Stephens added that the cap was set in the late 1990s when enrollment was just over 3000.

Stephens also said that the cap on students helps Biola maintain its academic integrity, a phrase he defined as the quality of education a university can provide for each of its students. As the number of students grows, he said, so will the number of faculty and professors. According to Stephens, this means that students will have a more personalized and focused learning experience, which, in turn, will help them learn more. Currently, Biola’s student/teacher ratio is 17:1, and the university is looking to sustain that ratio, he said.

Such a high number of students this year necessitated being creative when it came placing them in beds, said Heidi Herchelroath, Biola’s housing manager. Herchelroath stated that the actual number of students attending Biola far exceeded original estimates. Therefore, the housing department had to maximize the number of rooms that could “be tripled.” More than 50% of dorm rooms went from a double (which holds two students) to a triple (with three students), she said.

In addition, large student lounges in Hope Hall were turned into rooms in order to house additional students. With the added space, 30 more students were able to live on campus. However, the converted rooms are only temporary solutions, and would only be utilized as a last resort next year, Herchelroah stated.

At Biola, freshman and sophomore students are required to live on campus unless they live with a parent or guardian, Herchelroah said. This year, that rule presented problems for some upperclassman who were unable to reserve a room and were forced to look off campus for other accommodations.

“I got put on a waiting list, but what was that going to do for me?” wondered junior Breanna Kassel. “Who knows if I would have actually gotten a room or not. So I did what I had to do and found a place to live off campus. That way, if I wasn’t able to find a room in a dorm, I would still have a place to live.”

Other students moved off campus because they felt the dorms were too crowded.

“Last year, the dorms were crazily crowded as it was,” said senior Ashley Jones. “And this year, it was either live in a triple, in a dorm full of extra students, or find some place else. The last thing I wanted to do was live in a triple, so I just decided to move off campus.”

Even so, not everyone had a problem with being put in a triple or with the extra students in the dorms.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” said junior Chelsea Miller. “It forced me to meet people that I wouldn’t have otherwise and I’ve made some great friends. Yeah, it gets a little crowded at times, but for the most part even that’s not a big deal.”

As its student population grows, Biola is determined to grow with it, said Greg Balsano, Vice President of University Services. In order to do that, Biola is creating a plan that involves buying more apartment buildings on Rosecrans Avenue, as well as expanding and/or rebuilding current dorms. Biola currently owns five of the eight Rosecrans apartment buildings, and Balsano said that the university is looking into buying the other three. Balsano noted, though, that the plan is just in the first stages and will continue to be developed and finalized over the next two years.

Biola is not the only private Christian college that experienced growth this year. Azusa Pacific University reported growth as well. In 2009, 4,200 undergraduate students attended APU full time. In 2010, that number grew to 4800 full time undergraduates. Like Biola, APU also puts a cap on the number of students able to attend. However, the cap changes from year to year.

“The cap on attendance changes depending on our tuition goals, the quality of education we can provide and other things along those lines,” said David Burke, Director of Undergraduate Admissions. “This year, we set the cap at 1200 incoming freshman and 5200 traditional students total. But unlike Biola, we don’t count both traditional students and graduate students as one group. The 5200 student cap just pertains to the undergraduates.”

According to Burke, through the flexibility in enrollment, APU can better maintain its academic integrity. He too defined the phrase as the quality of education that the university can provide for its students. If APU is having a down year, the university could just lower its cap and accept fewer students, he stated. However, if they’re able to set their goals higher and allow more students acceptance, as has been the case for the last few years, they can raise the cap. Such flexibility, he said, allows the university to provide students with the best education possible. And, he added, it allows APU to keep the student-teacher ratio, which currently stands at 13:1, as low as possible.

Despite the increase in students, it was not hard to provide housing for those that wanted it, said Associate Director of Housing Services, Charlie Konoske.

“Our goal every year is to house as many students as possible,” he said. “So we do what we have to in order to accomplish that goal.” Konoske added that APU has specific housing for each grade level. “We have four dorms just for freshman so we’ve got some flexibility there. If we have a large incoming class, we just increase the number of triples. Then we’ve got 3 different areas specifically for sophomores. And the upperclassman all live in an apartment complex that has 1000 beds.” In total, Konoske said, APU can house nearly 3000 students, “the most in the CCCU.”

Meanwhile, Westmont was one of the few private Christian colleges that did not experience significant growth in the 2010 school year. However, according to Associate Director of Admissions, Jodi Smith, it was not for a lack of applications.

“The university is restricted by a Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.) with Santa Barbara County in the number of students the university can admit,” she said. “We have grace to flex that number a little bit, but not by much. The absolute max number of students we can have is 1,235, and we reached that number this year.”

The C.U.P. was established in 1976 because Westmont is located “smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood.” And although it restricts the school from growing, Smith said that it does give Westmont the freedom to be a little more selective as well as to charge a little more money.

“We absolutely cannot go over 1,235 students. In fact, if we accidentally had 1,236 one year, we would literally have to ask one student to leave. But it gives us a little more freedom than some Christian colleges might have. Not only do we charge more money, but we’re also probably a little more selective in who we accept to the school.”

Additionally, Smith says, it allows Westmont to develop a strong academic integrity.

“We pride ourselves on our academic integrity,” she said. “Not only is our average class size only 18 students, but the professor-student ratio is 12:1. With such small numbers, we can provide education that is more personal in nature and cater it to each individual student.”

The small number of students also allows Westmont to easily house the majority of its students on campus.

“All new students, including transfers, are required to live on campus,” said Housing Director Dave King. “Because Westmont is such a small university, we’re able to fit everyone pretty easily. We also allow about 200 students to live off campus on their own and commute.”

As enrollment in California’s private Christian colleges continues to increase, some have offered theories for the rise in student population.

“I think it’s a reflection of the state of California as well as of the public colleges,” Burke said. “Many parents and students are dissatisfied with both university systems for raising fees, putting students on wait lists and how it’s taking students longer and longer to graduate. So by the time you add it all up, the state school will cost just as much as a private university.” Therefore, he said, Christian colleges are becoming a viable option for many.

“When you crunch the numbers, a state college comes out to be just as expensive as a private Christian college,” Stephens agreed. “It’s almost as though there is the sticker cost and the actual net price. The sticker cost is the price you see at their website when you visit it online. But the net price is what it actually ends up costing once you take into account the tuition increases and the other fees they make you pay.”

However, according to California State University’s Assistant Vice Chancellor of Media Relations, Claudia Keith, these assessments couldn’t be more wrong.

“Despite the tuition increases, CSU will continue to rank among the least expensive of comparable institutions in the country,” she said, adding that CSU’s yearly tuition and fees of $5,834 ranks as the second lowest among comparable institutions. Additionally, one third of revenue from the most recent tuition increases will be set aside for financial aid. Therefore, Keith concluded, those that need help paying their tuition will have even more access to that aid.

Calls to the University of California Office of the President for a rebuttal were not returned.

Race Heated for California's 59th District

Candidates Vie for Seat in California's Assembly

He's backed by the big oil companies, and she's beholden to unions, the candidates running for the 59th Assembly District say of each other.

At a debate on Wednesday, Tim Donnelly and Darcel Woods argued over AB 32, an environmental law that Donnelly says will kill jobs.

“AB 32 is about control and power. It’s about the government reaching into our lives and taking our liberty... I think it’s time we beat that back and say ‘enough.” Donnelly said.

Woods interrupted, saying: “Well... Mr. Donnelly can clearly, with a clear conscience, say that because he is actually being backed by big oil and big tobacco. So that is why he is protecting his backers.” She went on to add that Donnelly would only represent special interest groups like Tobacco and Oil companies.

Such a statement caused anger among Donnelly’s campaign.

“A little homework at the Secretary of State’s website reveals [the] facts,” said Rick Scott, Donnelly’s Director of Communications. “It is true that Mr. Donnelly has received an astonishing three campaign contributions from Oil and Tobacco donors, but those contributions total only 7% of his total campaign donations.”

Mr. Scott went on to add that, of the 204 contributors from which Mr. Donnelly has received money, only 3 could be described as special-interest. Specifically, those groups are Altria, AT&T, and Chevron, he said. In total, the three organizations donated just under $7000 to the Republican candidate.

Donnelly’s campaign fired their own accusations back at Woods, accusing her of being beholden to unions. According to her website, Woods is endorsed by 36 union organizations, including the California Teachers Association and the SEIU. Donnelly’s campaign manager, Gregg Imus, says this calls into question her independence from these unions.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever met a Democrat that wasn’t beholden to unions,” Imus said.

“According to California’s Secretary of State website, Ms. Woods has received $42,500 or fully two-thirds of her contributions from 9 labor unions.” Scott added. “Moreover, of the 94 contributions she has received, 15 of those came from special interest groups.”

Among those mentioned above, Scott said, these groups include Service Employees International, United Domestic Workers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

In response, Ms. Woods said that she is not beholden to anyone. And, she said, despite her large union backing, she has only received financial support from half of the unions backing her.

Dermot Givens, Woods' campaign manager, agreed that unions have accounted for a significant chunk of Woods' total contributions, but said the total from unions is small compared to their contributions to other campaigns.

“It's a majority of what she is reporting, but that's still a small amount compared to a typical campaign,” Givens said.

Campaign finance records for both candidates reveal that both Donnelly and Woods are getting money from typical Republican and Democratic sources. Between July 1 and Oct. 30, Donnelly took in $3,900 from former Republican lawmaker Jim Brulte, $7,800 in loans from current Republican lawmakers, nearly $2,000 from the 59th District Republican Central Committee and $1,000 from the Los Angeles County Lincoln Club.

Meanwhile, Woods took in $1000 from physical therapist Michael Parker, $500 from NFL Defensive Line coach Wayne Nunnelly, $7800 from SEIU-United Long Term Care Workers, and a number of smaller donations from people around the district. Ms. Woods also donated $20,000 to her own campaign.

The 59^th District is typically considered a Republican stronghold, said political analyst Allan Hoffenblum; but that might not be the case this election. The sprawling Assembly district, split between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, has been held by Republicans for nearly two decades. But, according to Hoffenblum, the stage was set early last year for the possibility of a change.

Assemblyman Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia) drew the wrath of his constituents when he voted in favor of a Democrat-backed state budget draft that included more than $12 billion in tax hikes. A recall effort followed, mounted by anti-tax activists and KFI 640 radio talk-show hosts Jon Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, but failed to garner enough signatures to make it onto the ballot. After the failed effort, Adams chose not to seek re-election. He said he felt confident he would have won re-election, but instead chose to retire.

In the 59^th district, more people are registered as Republicans than as Democrats – 43 percent to 35 percent. But according to Hoffenblum, the fact that the district has more registered Republican voters should not be an indication of which way the race is going to go. “It’s an open seat,” he said, because Woods is not a “doctrinal liberal” while Donnelly is “more to the right than the average voter is in that district.” Thus, Hoffenblum added, neither candidate should be considered an insider.

Such a concept is underlined by the fact that no polls have been taken. Still, Imus says that his candidate has a significant lead over Woods.

“Just based on walking door-to-door and getting feedback from people in the precincts, I’d say that Tim has a 20 point lead,” he said.

Givens, Woods’ campaign manager, would only say that his candidate has a “50-50” chance of winning.

“Our campaign will depend on the declined to state voters and independents and moderate Republicans,” Givens said.

Some also argue that Donnelly’s far-right leanings could encourage some Republicans to vote Democrat.

“Tim is the kind of person you either totally love or you absolutely hate,” said Dianna Paul, an undecided voter in the district. “He’s got some strong views and he’s definitely not afraid to speak his mind.” She added that many of his views are extremely radical, which could alienate some Republicans.

It’s these strong views that have made Donnelly a hotly debated topic. Between his strong opinions and outspoken personality, Donnelly has created a lot of controversy around himself.

“I’m not here to play nice with people,” he asserts.

One view that has landed Donnelly in hot water with some voters is his take on illegal immigration. A former Minutemen, Donnelly has angrily voiced his fury with the government for not securing California’s borders

“The Constitution says that the government must protect us from an invasion,” he said. “Illegal immigration has cost our state billions of dollars. No matter what you call it, this is [about] taxation. Moreover…illegal immigration is best described as ‘taxation without representation.’”

But it’s not only his view on illegal immigration that has people upset, it’s the fact that he believes California should introduce an immigration law similar to that passed in Arizona – SB 1070.

“I don’t know how anyone could believe in such a law,” said Lithuanian immigrant Laima Murasaas. “It’s unconstitutional and it’s almost racial profiling.”

For her part, Darcel Woods believes that views like these are part of why Donnelly should not be elected. “Mr. Donnelly, with his Minuteman philosophy, will divide this district,” she said.

Despite Donnelly’s detractors, well-known conservative groups like the Tea Party have voiced their support.

“We endorse Tim Donnelly for his true Constitutional values and his proven track record as a minuteman on the California border,” said Cheryl Lapham, organizer of the San Bernardino Tea Party. “We believe that Tim will make a great Statesman for the 59th Assembly District.”

As per the SEIU, Woods’ support from many of the unions comes from a belief that a Democrat can win in spite of the Republicans’ past stronghold.

“If you look at some of the results in the primary, they would give you reason to think there's something going on there,” said Wyatt Closs, a spokesman for the Service Employee International Union-United Long Term Care Workers

The two candidates have garnered support from their respective parties as well.

“I don't know if there's anybody up there that knows the issues better than Tim,” said former-Senator Mountjoy said. “He's been on the border. He's been part of the Minutemen.” Mountjoy added that he is confident that Donnelly is a strong conservative who will stand strong in his beliefs. Because of his beliefs, Mountjoy said, Donnelly will represent the 59^th well as the next Assemblyman.

But according to Becca Doten, a member of the Democratic National Committee, Darcel Woods has the background and experience that California desperately needs.

“Her priorities are the priorities of the 59th District,” Doten said.

Doten added that Woods is exactly what Sacramento needs right now because she wants to put people back to work by creating new jobs, she wants to resolve the state’s budget crisis, and she wants to help small businesses through tax breaks and incentives so that they can stay in California. In other words, she said, Woods is ready to find solutions that will move the state forward and improve the lives of the people in it.

Effects of California's Budget on the State College System

Opinions Divided Over State Budget's Aid to Public Colleges

On May 14, Arnold Schwarzenegger will release his revised 2010-2011 budget. In the coming months, he will also seek to put his proposed amendment before the Legislature, said Rachel Arrezola, a spokesperson for the governor. If the amendment fails to win passage, the governor may seek to put the issue before voters in a ballot initiative, she said.

The budget, which was released in January, is designed to curb state spending. If adopted, higher education will be one of the few items in California’s budget that receives an increase in funding compared to the previous year. It would restore $371 million of last year’s cuts to the University of California and $365 million to the California State University system.

In his final State of the State address, the governor also said he would push for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit California from spending more money on its prisons than on its universities.

Last year, California’s prisons received 11 percent of the state’s general fund while 7.5 percent went to higher education. Under the new proposal, no less than 10 percent of the state’s general fund would be allotted for higher education while no more than 7 percent would go to the state prison system, the governor said.

Both the budget and the proposed amendment have received positive reviews from the two university systems.

“These restorations, in addition to the governor’s proposed constitutional amendment…are clear evidence that the governor understands the vital role public higher education plays in California,” University of California president Mark Yudof said in a statement.

California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed also praised the Governor for restoring funding to the CSU. “The governor has recognized the importance of higher education for California’s economic recovery,” he said. “While we are still faced with challenging circumstances, this reinvestment will help start the CSU on the path to recovery.”

Though his budget has been well received, the governor’s proposed amendment has drawn criticism. Many in the prison system feel that it is too simplistic, and that it doesn’t take into account the welfare of the prisoners.

“It’s too easy to just say we need to take money away from prisons and give it to education,” said parole agent Dianna Malk. “Of course the state needs to invest more money in our universities. But when you talk about taking money from the prisons, where is the money being cut from? Where do the guys fit into the picture?”

The governor’s plan calls for cutting spending through privatization, according to his chief of staff Susan Kennedy. Some money for the universities would come from the reduction of prison staff salaries. Other reductions would result from cutbacks in inmate medical costs and from millions of dollars the state expects to bring in from new legislation that reduces its parole burdens, she said.

Still, taking money from the prisons will likely have unforeseen long-term consequences, says Malk. “Already, a lot of teachers have been cut and so have vocational programs. So many of these prisoners are missing out on opportunities – ones that many would like to take advantage of – to better themselves for when they get out of prison. So, instead, they’re sitting in their cells all day telling ‘war dog’ stories to each other and thinking about how to be a better criminal.”

Because of that, it’s highly likely that prisoners will return to a life of crime when they’re released. Thus, Malk says, the rate of recidivism is going to increase.

Other notable critics of the governor’s plan include the Legislative Analyst’s Office. In its annual analysis of the state budget, the LAO recommended that voters reject the proposal. “It is an unnecessary, ill-conceived measure that would do serious harm to the budget process,” the LAO report reads.

Outside the state’s systems, reaction to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to take money away from prisons has generally varied. Groups like the Tea Party say that, while Governor Schwarzenegger is on the right track, he’s not going about his end goal correctly. If we’re going to take money away from prisons and give it to the universities, they say, we need to do so in steps and not in a one-size-fits-all legislative act.

“California’s prison system is like a rock. With his plan, Governor Schwarzenegger is trying to just blow on through the rock and break it up. That’s not going to work, and it’s not going to save California any money,” said Tea Party member Tim Donnelly. “What we need to do instead is chip away at the rock piece by piece until we’ve molded it so that the prison system works.”

According to Donnelly, “chipping away” means a two-phase plan that first includes deporting the illegal prisoners back to their country of origin, “which will save almost $2 billion per year,” and then expanding on Schwarzenegger’s idea of privatization by forming a public-private partnership with the prison system.

“With the money we save through doing both of those things, then we can give money back to the universities to help our kids,” he says. “Otherwise, all we’re doing is moving money around from one program to another…and just robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Students’ reaction to the proposed amendment is mixed. Some students believe that a shift of funds from prisons to higher education will alleviate some of their financial burden. They also assert that it will help restore full class schedule offerings each quarter/semester, end furlough days, and re-establish dropped programs.

“I think it sounds like a great plan that will enable the colleges to hire more teachers, provide more classes, allow more students acceptance and possibly lower students’ tuition,” said CSU San Bernardino student Ashley Payne. “They keep raising our tuition and yet there are less classes to choose from and less people getting into the system. So maybe if the governor’s amendment gets passed, it will help more students to be able to attend college.”

But Mrs. Payne’s opinion is not universal. Other students feel that Gov. Schwarzenegger has not done enough to bring about change in California’s universities.

“I don’t think enough has been done to help our universities. The damage done to our colleges and universities is the worst it has been in recent history,” said UC Santa Cruz student Victor Sanchez. “Greater solutions must come, and there is a need to fully fund as well as seek new creative forms of alternative revenue that will stabilize education for the future.”

Those who feel the same as Mr. Sanchez have taken to protesting and lobbying for California’s government to invest more money in higher education.

On March 1, University of California administration and student leaders from the University of California Student Association (USCA) converged in Sacramento to lobby state leaders.

Among other things, the 500 students lobbied in favor of Assembly Bill 656, said Sanchez, UCSA’s president. The bill calls for taxing oil and natural gas drawn from California soil or waters, and devoting the money to UC, CSU and community colleges. According to the USCA, it would raise $1 billion a year.

On April 27, representatives from the University of California, California State Universities and community colleges met in Sacramento to visit all 120 legislative offices during Intersegmental Advocacy Day, said Lynn Tierney, Vice President of Communications for the UC Office of the President.

Student advocates fought to save the Competitive Cal Grant and lobbied for Assembly Bill 2447, which would institutionalize Cal Grants so they cannot be eliminated, Sanchez said.

In response to the protest, Gov. Schwarzenegger promised to veto any budget that did not include more funding for higher education.

Despite the idea from some students that Gov. Schwarzenegger needs to invest even more in higher education, some parents are applauding the effort the governor has put forth.

“I think the amendment is a really good idea. Right now there’s no money to give to the students for financial aid and to attend a state college is very expensive,” said mother of two state college students, Heidi Mak. “Good for Governor Schwarzenegger for recognizing that the universities need help!”

But, it is not just those in the prison or the state university systems that will be affected by the amendment. California’s taxpayers will share the burden of paying for it, many of whom feel that their money will be much better spent on the university systems than on the prisons.

“I think that the education of our young people is far more important than keeping pot dealers off the street for maybe a couple years,” said stay-at-home mother Erica Weaver. “If it comes up on a ballot I’d vote for it for sure. I would much rather my tax dollars go toward helping the universities than towards the prison system.”

However, other taxpayers are apprehensive at the thought of their tax money being taken away from the prisons. Their concern is that, by providing California’s prisons with less money, the crime rate will go up and their communities will be less safe.

“If you weigh the two concepts against each other, I think you have to look at the bigger picture,” says real estate manager, Carey Treff. “My concern is that, with the prisons losing all this money, we’re gonna have way more criminals back on the street than we’ve had before. And that’s a big public safety issue.”

Mr. Treff added that perhaps we should look at other agencies to take money from first before we look at taking tax dollars away from the prisons. Otherwise, he said, we may be putting the public’s safety at risk.