Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a plan to guarantee college access to the approximately 28,000 students who will be blocked from attending California State University and University of California campuses this year. That proposal, though, one to allow the shut-out students an opportunity to enroll at community colleges for free, doesn't pass any reasonable standard for fairness.

In the governor's budget recommendations for the next fiscal year, Schwarzenegger proposed that CSU and UC send 10 percent of their fall freshmen to community colleges. Such a decision, the governor estimates, would save the state $46 million because Sacramento forks over less money to support community colleges than it does for UC and CSU students. Indeed, according to data provided by the state Legislative Analyst Office, this year the state spent $4,100 per community college student as opposed to $7,200 per CSU student and $14,300 per UC student.

But a blueprint for saving the state some money could end up costing community college students in a big way. With several community college classrooms already bursting at the seams from heavy enrollment, it hardly seems fair to existing students to add to the overflow with thousands of CSU and UC students, especially if they're attending gratis.

In one local instance, for example, Chris DerBing, vice president of the Associated Students of Ohlone College in Fremont, pointed out to ANG Newspapers' Michelle Maitre that Ohlone has only one university-qualifying biology class -- with room for only 24 students.

"With the university people coming here, it's going to be a lot harder for people to add (courses)," DerBing said. "If those people end up getting the spots, that's just less for Ohlone students."

Schwarzenegger said he would alleviate the burden of additional students placed upon community colleges by granting them an additional $125 million next year. It seems curious that a budget-besieged Sacramento would be prepared to toss $125 million the community colleges' way, and a far better and equitable use of the resource -- if the state, in fact, has the money -- would be for the governor to pledge the money for scholarships open to all comers.

Far less equitable than the notion of shuffling or even shutting out community college students to accommodate CSU and UC transferees is the governor's proposal to offer CSU and UC students a complimentary ride while at the community colleges. Put simply, why should community college students -- many of whom are from lower-income families -- have to shell out a projected average of $780 per school year while CSU and UC students -- many of whom are from high-income households -- could get through next year's academic program for nothing?

If the governor's plan is enacted, it will be galling for community college students to find out that they are paying for tuition while CSU and UC students in their midst won't -- particularly after learning that their fees may go up from $18 to $26 per class unit, if approved by the Legislature.

In principal, there is nothing wrong with the governor's idea to afford CSU and UC students the chance to enter a dual admission program that would put them on a track to transfer over to a specific CSU or UC campus after completing undergraduate requirements at a community college. Nothing wrong, that is, as long as they pay their way just like every other community college student.