California State University, Stanislaus is reinstating the 18 unit maximum cap for the Fall 2013 semester due to the voter approved Proposition 30, which passed last November.
Proposition 30 provides an increase in funding towards education for the State of California, by means of a temporary increase of income tax and sales tax.
The personal income tax increase is geared toward wealthy taxpayers for a period of seven years and an increase in sales tax is required of all taxpayers for a period of four years, to generate nearly $6 billion every year.
“I am glad that we are able to return to our campus policy of the 18 unit maximum cap,” Lisa Bernardo, University Registrar, said. “It is difficult when students are given short notice for their future semesters.”
Due to the many courses that are needed to be completed by all students and the money that is required to fund each semester, the fluctuating maximum cap has set some students behind, or off their original academic track.
“The more units we can take the better, because those who choose to overachieve should be able to,” Justin De Freitas (sophomore, Music) said.
“This is higher education, we are all adults, and I am paying the money for school, so I should not be limited by a cap.”
In previous semesters, the maximum amount of units in which students were able to enroll has fluctuated, as the number of units depends on the state budget.
The university must limit the courses offered, which creates the difficulty of offering an equal amount of units to all students as the budget is cut.
During the enrollment period of the current semester, students were limited by a 15 unit maximum cap. The decrease to the 15 unit cap was established to ensure that every student had the equal opportunity to remain at full-time student status during the budget cut.
It was directed by the California State University Chancellor’s Office that the same restriction would not be placed on students for the Fall 2013 semester, as the university is returning to its previous campus policy.
Students within every major struggle to enroll in classes when placed under a cap. However, certain majors are affected on a wide level with a lower unit cap, as one unit classes comprise a significant portion of their courses.
“Art majors need the 18 unit cap so they can fulfill performance-based course obligations that are offered in one unit increments,” Dr. John Mayer (Theatre Department Chair) said.
Though a unit cap is unavoidable, the implementation of the previous campus policy allows students to have the freedom to obtain additional classes if desired. Many students are in need of as many units as possible to maintain on their academic career path in a timely manner.
Every semester is subject to change as the budget fluctuates, so the unit cap for future semesters cannot yet be determined.