CSU Campuses To Set Aside Spots For Special Skills

FRESNO – Some California State University campuses will set aside additional slots for athletes, musicians and other special students this fall as the system prepares to turn away more applicants.

The 23-campus system is facing a $564 million budget cut this fiscal year, forcing it to cut enrollment by about 40,000 at the same time applications have reached record highs.

That has forced many schools, including Fresno State, to prioritize applications from local students and rank qualified out-of-area students based on academics.

For the first time, some campuses also plan to expand their academic exceptions to ensure sports, band, ROTC specialized programs such as agriculture and engineering are filled.

Jim Blackburn, CSU’s systemwide director of enrollment management, says the group goes far beyond athletes to “all special talents.”