Photo by Robert Rios.
By Robert Rios, Co-News Editor
With the direction of the world being stopped by the coronavirus, the university is currently calculating the enrollment of students for the next semester that may show a drastic change in the school’s population.
At the final CSUDH Academic Senate meeting for the academic year of 2019-2020, which will be held in Zoom on May 6 at 3 p.m, Vice President of Student Affairs, William Franklin will present a Fall 2020 enrollment update. Right now Fall 2020 projected enrollment shows the application pool for freshmen and transfers is at 30,429, with a majority being first-time college students.There are currently 17,027 enrolled at Dominguez Hill, the most the campus has ever had attending the campus at one time.
Reasons for new students to come to the university vary for what outcomes occur in the upcoming months and the many benefactors that affect students in higher learning. These assumptions for increased enrollment in Franklin’s presentation include scenarios such as if California State Fullerton, Long Beach, and Los Angeles hold to their impaction criteria, students want to remain local, and mode of instruction for the fall term. Some ideas for decreasing enrollment numbers are factored in by issues such as housing costs, requests for GAP year/enrollment deferral, and individuals feeling unsafe to return to the new “normal.”
Other assumptions for students to continue coming to the school involves CARES funding, seniors deferring their graduation to the fall or next spring, and if the school is able to offer face to face instruction. Decrease factors for students not to return imply COVID 19 rules still in effect, psycho/social impact of virtual learning, and once again the fear of going back to the planned out schedule.
Another important speaker who will be speaking about next semester is Provost Michael Spagna. He will give us a provost report, but also give an update on the 2020-2021 faculty recruitment plan for that academic year. CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham will also give his regular update with what is happening with the university currently and how the school is preparing for the fall.
The senate meeting agenda also covers end of the year reports which include:
- Educational Policy Committee Report
- FPC Report
- Graduate Council
- Academic Technology Committee
- General Education Committee
- University Curriculum Committee
- University Curriculum Committee
- Statewide Senate Report
The last items on the agenda are Chair CharlesThomas’ report and the passing of the gavel. At a prior meeting, Thomas announced he will be stepping down as chair due to him wanting to spend more time with family. There will also be confirmation of the Senate Executive Committee for the 2020/2021 academic year.
The senate session will begin 30 minutes later than the usual time due there be a general faculty meeting prior to the senate’s gathering starting at 2:30 p.m to 2:50.
