Fresno State Class Cuts | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Fresno, CA University officials said "everyone" is making sacrifices, Action News talked with several students who said recent cuts to the classroom will take them longer to graduate.

We talked to one student who said the two classes that were dumped from his schedule are only offered every two years.

Earth Science Graduate Student Andy Shriver worked as a geologist for three years before hitting a plateau in the corporate world. He came to Fresno State to advance his career with a Masters Degree, that he would have received in May, that all changed on Tuesday when he got this email from the University.

Andy Shriver, Fresno State Graduate Student said "My educational and professional plans, I'm married I own a home are basically being delayed."

Two courses Shriver needed to graduate have been canceled. He had to scramble to pick classes so that he would not lose his full time student status and financial aid for additional semesters he will need to finish school.

Andy Shriver, Fresno State Graduate Student said: "That's a huge financial hardship for me and my family, trying to get more financial aid for subsequent semesters which I don't think the Federal Government or State wants that."

Soon classrooms all over the University will look empty as administrators cut nearly a thousand classes from the fall 2009 semester.

Fresno State Administrators would not comment on camera Friday, but in a press conference earlier this week, a University Official said they would try to select classes least likely to slow down the progress of earning a degree.

Dr. William Covino, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs said, "We'll try to be sensitive to those courses needed towards graduation and we'll do so in as many cases as we can."

Department heads are responsible for selecting classes to ditch based on low attendance, but Shriver believes students should have a said on which courses are most important to them.

University officials said in order to stay on track to graduate students should pay close attention to campus notices so they can react quickly to changes, students are also being told to work closely with advisors to map out new courses to complete a degree.