Planning Assumptions

The following assumptions were considered throughout the council’s development of the strategic plan:

Stability of Local Service Area and Popular Programs

CSUN will continue to serve its existing local area high school and community college populations. Programs with the highest student enrollment (Psychology, Sociology, etc.) will continue to attract a sustainable student population.

Enrollment

More high school students will choose community college rather than applying directly to a four-year university. With the implementation of AB 928, we can expect to see an increase in transfer applicants.

Declining enrollment among Black and Asian Pacific Islander Desi-American students will continue to be a top concern.

An aversion toward academic impaction remains. Mandates from the chancellor’s office will potentially affect major enrollment and other programs. The chancellor’s office will not penalize CSUN for exceeding its defined enrollment target.

Overall, we can expect enrollment to fluctuate in response to the economy.

Opportunities in International and Domestic Non-Resident Enrollment

Opportunities to enroll more international students will increase throughout the next three years. The U.S. government will introduce policies that simplify international student admission and make it easier to remain in the country after they graduate. This will positively impact the desire of international students to study in the United States.

There is indication of positive opportunities for domestic non-resident enrollment.

State Support

Sacramento’s support of the California State University (CSU) system will remain similar and the cost of tuition and fees will remain relatively flat. Locally, campus priorities (as outlined in the president’s cabinet roadmap) will affect resource allocation.

Challenges

CSUN will not receive additional funded FTEs in order to increase enrollment. As enrollment and retention improves, this will lead to over-enrollment concerns.

Fewer California high school graduates will be academically eligible to attend CSU schools. There will be increased competition from California Community College campuses and University of California campuses to attract eligible students.

Employers, students and families have concerns about the alignment of a four-year degree with the needs of the present-day workforce.

Trends in Remote Education

The demand for remote work and education may be changing as we emerge from the pandemic.