Fresno State to Cut Hundreds of Classes | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Fresno, CA When the fall semester at Fresno State begins in August, state budget cuts will mean fewer students on campus-and now the university is cutting courses so they will have fewer classes to choose from.

Dr. William Covino said, "We're going to try to be sensitive for courses need for graduation we'll do that in as many cases as we can."

Psychology student Kristal Valdovinos knows what it's like to not have the classes she needs. Valdovinos says she wasn't able to attend summer school because none of her psychology classes were offered.

"It would take you a lot longer to accomplish anything if you have a set schedule," said Valdovinos.

Campus administrators plan to cut more than a thousand courses this fall. 627 are classes where students work one on one with instructors. The remaining 400 classes being cut are still undetermined.

Dr. William Covino says it's hard to say how many students will be affected and the university is in the process of meeting with instructors who may be losing their jobs.

"At this point primarily part time instructors," said Dr. Covino.

As soon as the courses are dropped students are being notified by email. Rick Sanchez says his fiancé is losing her honors courses and had to quickly make adjustments.

"She had to find another class to make up for the credits that she's losing because she's here on a scholarship," said Sanchez.

Bernie Vernovrski Fresno State VP Enrollment Services said, "There are still a significant amount of classes that have seats available. Students who are having classes dropped will have an opportunity to add it might not be their first choice, but there are still options."

With less than a month away students will have to be flexible in order to stay on track to graduate.

Students are encouraged to check their campus email often for schedule updates and to register for classes as soon as possible. Online extended studies could provide another option for courses.