Initiative promotes graduation

   A new initiative is expected to increase graduation rates at the California State University system within the next six years.
   The initiative announced by the Board of Trustees is also meant to raise the graduation rate across all 23 CSU campuses by 8 percent by 2016.
   The rate is intended to increase the number of minority and low-income students.
   "The goal of this initiative is to not only increase the number of students who complete their degree, but to also help those from traditionally underrepresented communities who may need additional support to finish. After all, that is the end goal — a college degree," CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jeri Echeverria said.
   However, in order to achieve this goal, the plan could include policies that change the college experience.
   These include mandating earlier declaration of a major, reducing the number of general education courses, restricting students from dropping classes, and limiting registration for freshmen.
   "As the largest public university system in the country, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything possible to help our students be successful in earning their degree," Echeverria said.
   CSU’s overall six-year graduation rate is roughly 46 percent but the long-term graduation initiative is intended to bring the rate up to 54 percent.
   This is in line with the top quartile of national averages of other similar institutions.
   The graduation initiative comes as a result of drastic budget cuts in the CSU and University of California systems.
   Having more students graduate in less time saves much needed money.
   The $584 million reduction in state support for the 2009-10 school year resulted in an increase of tuition at CSU Fullerton to $4,800 a year for an undergraduate student and a series of furlough days, forcing CSU and UC employees to go 11-24 days without pay.
   A proposal for new funding for community colleges will trigger a $14-per- unit fee increase.
   This means with current fees at $26, SAC students could pay up to $40 per unit.
   "I think it’s insane because we have a lot of the population that is low income," student Oscar De la Riva said.
   In order to protest the budget cuts and fee increases, students, teachers and administration from all levels of education came together March 4 for a Day of Action.
   "It makes me mad because they don’t know how it feels to be in a class with 40 plus students," Valley High School senior Virginia Estrella said.
   On the SAC campus, where multiple general education courses have been cut because of the worsening financial situation, Dean of Students Lilia Tanakeyowma said, "The fact is that the budget has been bad and it’s still declining. How do you get worse when you’ve already reached the bottom?"