At the meeting, CCC Chancellor Thomas J. Nussbaum presented a report to the BOG revealing that both student headcount and course offerings have declined for the second straight semester. Based upon a survey of the college districts, results show that the system’s enrollment is down 5.2% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2003, representing a headcount loss of approximately 90,700 students. Course section offerings are also down for the same period, showing an 8.7% reduction. "This is not good news for the State of California," said Chancellor Nussbaum. "Access to the community college system is absolutely essential to keep California working. After fifteen continuous semesters of growth, these two consecutive declines clearly establish the connection between the loss in funding and a loss in access."

Board of Governors President Catherine L. Unger inquired whether the decrease in headcount can be attributed to the increase in fees from $11 to $18 per unit that went into effect this fall. Patrick Perry, Vice Chancellor for Technology, Research and Information Systems, indicated that while some groups of students have most certainly been affected, the actual impact of the fee increase can’t be determined until complete end of term data is submitted by the colleges and analyzed. Mr. Perry stated, "What we know for sure is that reduction in the number of course section offerings driven by budget factors is driving down enrollment."

Chancellor Nussbaum went on to point out that the problem is even greater than the 90,700 figure suggests. Relative to Department of Finance growth projections made before system constriction and budget cuts, the Fall 2003 data show a headcount gap of approximately 171,000 students. "If you look at our current enrollments in relation to what California needs from the community colleges, and that can be measured by our original growth projections to accommodate the influx of students from Tidal Wave II, approximately 175,000 students is our best estimate of access lost in Fall 2003," Nussbaum said.

The fall enrollment data was presented during the second in a series of study sessions to focus on access to California higher education in the larger context—both historically and across the three segments of postsecondary education. In addition to the data presented, Board members heard testimony from a panel of community college Chief Executive Officers, including Cuesta Superintendent/President Marie E. Rosenwasser. A panel of students, including Cuesta ASCC President Lori Fowler and ASCC Activities Director Brittany Luketic, also gave testimony about their experience on the campuses since the recent budget cuts and fee increase have taken effect.

Enrollment at Cuesta College dropped for the first time in eight years. Total enrollment went from 10,807 in fall 2002 to 10,771 in fall 2003 – a decrease of .3 percent. Despite the drop in headcount, the average class load per student increased from 11.4 to 11.45 classroom hours per week. Continuing students constitute only 45.7% of the student body – the fourth year of reduction. The remaining 54.3% of the students are new, transferring in, or returning to Cuesta after an absence of at least one semester.