HAYWARD -- Throughout the 23 campuses that comprise the California State University system, students are being turned away in droves as officials continue the push to reduce enrollment and cut costs.

Not at Cal State Hayward, though.

Unlike its sister campuses around the state, Cal State Hayward has more than enough space to accommodate students. And officials there once again want to remind those looking for a college home that Cal State Hayward is still accepting applications for the 2004 fall quarter at its Hayward campus and in Concord.

"The Contra Costa campus anticipates accepting all transfer students who meet the university's requirements and apply before the fall application deadline of June 30," said campus dean Peter Wilson.

Increasing enrollment, particularly among freshmen, has been a major emphasis at Cal State Hayward, which primarily serves working adults and professionals. The average age of students at the Contra Costa campus, for example, is 34, and 70 percent of the 1,500 students are women.

In Hayward, officials have aggressively sought to increase the number of college-bound high school seniors by offering a number of enrollment incentives, including the Early Decision Program, which guaranteed admissions to all qualified freshmen and transfer students who applied by March 1.

Jeff Cook, executive director of enrollment services at Cal State Hayward, said the Hayward campus will continue to accept applications for freshmen and transfer students into the summer. However, he warned that the space availability could be limited after May 1, the deadline for students who have been accepted to decide whether they'll attend the school.

"We sent out a large number of admission decisions in mid-March," Cook said. "We are waiting to hear back from the students who received admission."

Cook urged incoming freshmen and transfer students who are considering Cal State Hayward to apply as soon as possible, because he anticipates fewer slots being available once campuses in the CSU and University of California systems start redirecting students.

"We're not in a position here to redirect students to other campuses," Cook said. "However, some students may be directed to Cal State Hayward. We're in aninteresting and complex situation of wanting to remain open while also monitoring enrollment and making sure we don't exceed our capacity."

Cal State Hayward is one of the more obscure and least recognizable campuses in the system, but students are beginning to view it differently with the state cutting back on its financial commitment to the public education system and slots being limited at the 22 other campuses.

Cook said applications for admission are up 32 percent compared to this time last year.