Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Will Increases in Student Enrollments Mean
More Funds For Community Colleges?
Demographic projections released by the Department of Finance indicated that California's population is projected to grow significantly over the next 10 to 40 years.
California Population Growth
| California Population | % Increase from 1998 | |
| 1998 | 33,506,406 | |
| 2010 | 39,957,616 | 19.3% |
| 2020 | 45,448,627 | 35.6% |
| 2030 | 51,868,655 | 54.8% |
| 2040 | 58,731,006 | 75.3% |
Projected California Community College Enrollments
| Actual 1999 | 1,475,711 |
| Projected 2007 | 1,820,194 |
| Projected Increase | 344,483 |
| % Increase | 23.34% |
As the above demographic projections indicate, the state population will increase by almost 20% over the next 11 years. This increase in population will be acutely felt by community colleges, which are expecting a 23.34% enrollment growth, or an added 344,483 students in just eight years.
Will this growth in population and projected growth in student enrollments in California community colleges translate into increases in state funds? The simple answer is not necessarily. Each year the Governor funds community college growth based on a prescribed formula - state growth in adult population. This year that growth number for community colleges was less than 2%. The system requested 4% in their budget change proposals. In the final 1999 State Budget adopted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor, the community colleges received 3% for growth. Based on prior budgets, the community colleges will have to lobby the administration and legislature to provide adequate growth funds in each and every community college budget.
Community colleges can not simply rely on the "old" tactics to give us more money for improving student access. This Governor wants to not only improve access but, more importantly, accountability as well. If the colleges are going to lobby for more revenues to support increases in student enrollments, then they are going to have to convince the current administration how additional revenues will improve the system.
A new strategy will be needed. No longer can the colleges simply ask for more money simply because we have more students.
-- Arnold Bray