Sacramento State students are taking more units this semester. The average full-time student is taking more than 12 units. The increase in units is a result of the additional courses added this semester.

The expected enrollment for the 2004 fall semester was set at a 5 percent decrease until the legislature negotiated for more students to be accepted. In August the enrollment target was revised to a 3 percent decrease and additional funding was allocated.

After this budget negotiation process, 60 new courses were added for the fall semester. The courses included English 1A, high demand general education courses and many in the communications department.

“It is great that student funding has been restored and that we can now facilitate more students,” said Larry Glasmire, director of special programs and enrollment analysis.

The new courses helped get more students on campus and resulted in a 1 percent increase in the units taken. This generated a higher number of full-time equivalent students, which is calculated by the total number of students divided by 15 units. An increase in this number is useful because the Sac State Chancellor’s Office allocates money based off its number.

“With the increased number of units students are taking this fall, (the number of full-time equivalent students) was down just 84 after one week of classes even though the headcount was down 500,” said the Office of Public Affairs. “This is the first time the (number of full-time equivalent students) has been over 12 in my 30 years here,” Glasmire said.

The budget negotiations that came in August were a little late to reach the goal of the 3 percent enrollment target. More students could have been accepted the prior year if the administration had not thought the enrollment target was 5 percent.

“We don’t think that we will make the 3 percent target because the decision came kind of late, but we probably will come within one percent of the target by spring,” Glasmire said. “We are bringing more students and courses in the spring.”

Recruiters are hoping to admit 1,100 more students this spring than last to meet the enrollment target for 2004-05. Applications are still being accepted even though the priority application period has passed, said Emiliano Diaz, director of outreach, admissions and records.

This situation is different from the prior two years when the budget created tougher deadlines and other restrictions in the spring.