Required use of Electronic Applications for CSU Admission

AS-2610-03/AA - May 8-9, 2003

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) support the CSU Admissions Advisory Council proposal that effective October 1, 2004, electronic applications will be the normal and preferred mode of application to the CSU; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recommend that the CSU and CSU campuses provide reasonable accommodations for students who have difficulty in accessing or completing electronic applications; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recommend that the CSU systemwide office maintain a printable version of the undergraduate admission application online.

RATIONALE: Now in its sixth year of operation, electronic application submission using CSUMentor has been very successful. Presently, more than half of all admission applications submitted to the CSU are submitted through CSUMentor. The Council feels that a move to electronic application is appropriate at this time, given that:

• The web based CSUMentor application is available to the general public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and allows the public complete access at any time day or night.
• Electronic applications allow submission of more complete and accurate information in a quick fashion so that timely admission decisions can be reached.
• Campuses gain significantly by combining a "best practice" automated process and increasing utilization of technology to serve better the public.
• High school and community college counselors have encouraged the CSU to adopt one application method.
• The UC system has recently announced that it plans to require an electronic application for admission in 2005.

In cases where filling out the electronic application is a hardship, the individual campuses and the system need to provide appropriate assistance.

APPROVED - May 8-9, 2003