CSU Will Add Classes to School Schedules for Winter/Spring Terms
The California State University will allocate $25 million in one-time funds to campuses to provide additional course sections and classes for students, as well as student support services. 

"We hope this will provide some relief for students who have had difficulty enrolling in an adequate number of classes, as well as help students make progress toward their degree," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "The additional classes will also allow us to retain a number of lecturers for the winter and spring terms."

Applications Show CSU's Apply Early Message is Reaching Diverse Communities

A total of 187,329 prospective California State University students submitted their applications through the system's application website, csumentor.edu, between Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 and Thursday, Oct. 28, 2009–a nearly 50 percent increase over the prior Fall. Applications submitted last year, in the same month-long period, totaled 124,684.

CSU has also seen a total increase of 20 percent in first-time freshmen applications over the prior year. Driving this increase is a nearly 40 percent rise in applications by Asian American students, and a nearly 30 percent rise in application by Latino/Latina students. First-time freshmen applications among African American students also rose by 17 percent. Full story.

LISTEN: Budget Cuts, Reduced Enrollment Make Applying Early Crucial
First podcast in a three part series on CSU’s priority application period
The CSU has undergone drastic changes due to a $564 million cut in state funding. The financial shortfall will have a lasting impact on the university for years to come, particularly when looking at the number of students the CSU can enroll in the next academic year. Listen as CSU’s Director of Enrollment Management Services Jim Blackburn describes how recent budget cuts have impacted the CSU’s enrollment for 2010-11 and what future students can do to prepare. Listen now.

Cal State Fullerton to Host Systemwide CSU Media Arts Festival
Cal State Fullerton will be hosting the CSU’s 19th annual Media Arts Festival Saturday, Nov. 7, featuring the creative efforts of students throughout the 23 campus system.

Student producers of films, videos, screenplays and interactive media submitted entries for the festival in categories including:  Narrative, Animation, Music Video, Experimental, Documentary, Television, Interactive Media, Short Screenplay, and Featured Screenplay. All entries meeting requirements will be viewed or read by a jury of industry professionals with winners awarded in each category, as well as  “Best in Show”. Learn more about the CSU Media Arts Festival in the press release and media arts site.

CSUSB Receives $2.5 Million Estate Gift
Cal State San Bernardino is the beneficiary of a $2.5 million bequest in the estate of long-time San Bernardino resident Evelyn Magnuson, who was an active supporter of scholarships at the university since the early 1990s. Press Release.

CSUN Receives $1 Million to Tackle Achievement Gap
Cal State Northridge, in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, has received a $1 million grant from the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) to help improve K-12 teaching in math and English/language arts. Press Release.

Adapting a medical-school model and propelled by a new five-year $8.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), California State University, Los Angeles will launch the Los Angeles Urban Teacher Residency Program to strengthen both teacher preparation and student academic achievement. Press Release | More CSULA News

Three California State University campuses (Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills and San Diego) are responding to California’s workforce demand for biotech professionals with a new online certificate for Biotechnology Project Management in Quality Assurance. The certificate is designed for professionals, with science and engineering backgrounds. Press Release| More CSU News