San Diego State University officials say more than half of the incoming students for the fall semester will be local students.
San Diego State became a lightening rod of criticism when it ended a longtime policy that guaranteed admission to qualified local students. Instead, officials say they would give local students preference using extra eligibility points.
The latest enrollment numbers show 42 percent of incoming freshman for the fall semester are local students, that’s down by three percent compared to last year.
However, once officials factor in students who transfer from local community colleges, more than half of the incoming student body for the fall semester is local.
SDSU's Sandra Cook says the university is keeping its commitment to the community.
“I believe we accomplished the best that we possibly could given the circumstances such as the reduced enrollment and budget,” Cook said.
University officials say CSU-qualified students who are turned away can request to be on a waiting list or take advantage of a special transfer-admissions guarantee. Officials say the policy change was a byproduct of the state's budget cuts.
