Up for discussion: Increasing nonresident freshmen

UC Davis is working to enroll more freshmen from outside California this fall than last to diversify its student body and generate extra revenue to apply toward a shortfall in state funding. But some have criticized the move for taking university spots that they say should go to California students.

Aggie Family Pack takes a look at the numbers and talks with a campus official about the issue.

Pilot program

UC Davis introduced a pilot program this admissions cycle to enroll more new out-of-state and international students for fall 2011. Last year the campus enrolled about 140 nonresident students in its entering freshman class; projections indicate UC Davis will enroll roughly 200 more this fall, for a total of about 340.

Overall, UC Davis aims to enroll about 4,650 new freshmen from California and elsewhere, and nonresidents would account for about 7.3 percent of the class.

To get there, UC Davis admitted more than 21,000 applicants of the almost 46,000 who applied for freshman status. Of those admitted, 18,222, or 86.5 percent, were California high school students. About 1,360, or 6.5 percent, were out-of state applicants, and 1,492, or 7.1 percent, were international applicants.

Generally, California admitted students are expected to accept offers of admission and enroll at higher rates than nonresident students.

Lora Jo Bossio, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and interim director of Undergraduate Admissions, said it is important for people to understand that UC Davis is not taking away spots from California residents and is not reducing the number of California residents.

The University of California sets enrollment targets for California students based on the funding it receives from the state. Then each campus sets enrollment targets for nonresident students over and above its resident enrollment based on its remaining physical and instructional capacity.

Extra revenue

The increase in nonresident students brings two major advantages: extra revenue and diversification of the student body.

Additional students from outside of California will generate more revenue for the university — crucial funding as UC Davis faces a shortfall of up to $68 million in the next academic year.

Nonresidents pay almost $23,000 more per year in tuition than California residents. The additional 200 nonresident students could generate $6 million next school year, according to figures compiled by the university.

The nonresident tuition is used, among other things, to help recruit and retain high-quality faculty, offer additional courses that help reduce class size and improve access to core areas of the curriculum, expand library collections and services for students, and renew instructional equipment and technology.

Diversity

Increasing the number of out-of-state students is also in keeping with recommendations from the University of California Commission on the Future to "enhance the educational experience" and "broaden geographical diversity" of students. The UC Davis Vision for Excellence also calls for "fostering a vibrant community of learning and scholarship and embracing global issues."

Bossio said, "The student experience will be enriched as the number of nonresidents who are members of the UC Davis community increases."