California State University departments rebel over resident enrollment dilemma

http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_21283757/california-state-university-departments-rebel-over-resident-enrollment?source=rss

If you're a Californian interested in taking up graduate studies in January at a California State University campus, think again.

But if you live in another state or country, check it out and sign your check.

Cal State leaders have told the university's 23 campuses they will not be allowed to admit California graduate students for the spring term, which starts in January. Budget cuts made the system in the coming spring term unable to afford residents' heavily discounted education, campus leaders were told.

But nonresident students -- who pay considerably higher fees -- remain welcome, at least at some campuses, and that has become an issue leading some rebellious graduate schools to turn away the non-Californians -- and the financial windfall they would bring.

We either take both kinds of students or none, one professor said.

"It's appalling, and I would never, ever go along with" excluding resident students, said Maria Nieto, a Cal State East Bay biology professor who coordinates her department's graduate studies. "To say, 'You can accept these students at the exclusion of California students,' goes against the mission of CSU."