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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shirley Melikian Armbruster

April 14, 2003

(559) 278-2795 or (559) 269-5261

Budget Cutbacks Prompt Fresno State to Suspend Program in Santa Maria

Students already “in the pipeline” will be able to finish their coursework

FRESNO -- State budget cutbacks have forced California State University, Fresno to suspend admissions indefinitely to its distance learning program at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.

The program, which started in fall 2001, offers students at Hancock the opportunity to work toward a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies without leaving home.

Bernie Vinovrski, assistant vice president for enrollment services, said Fresno State will accommodate the 35-40 Hancock students who already are enrolled in the program by providing the necessary courses to complete the program at Hancock. Those students and others who were taking prerequisite courses with the intention of applying for admittance, also may transfer to the Fresno campus to complete the program, Vinovrski said.

The courses at Hancock have been provided at Hancock via two-way interactive video originating from Fresno State, but face-to-face instruction with Fresno State faculty is needed, and that is an expense the university cannot afford.

Vinovrski said given the state’s severe budget problems, he believes it will be at least two years before Fresno State will be able to accept new students in the distance learning program at Hancock. Fresno State’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. J. Michael Ortiz, credited Hancock administrators with their support for the program and their efforts to make it work.

"President Foxworthy has been very supportive of the program and the decision to suspend it is no reflection on Allan Hancock College’s commitment,” said Ortiz.

“During this crucial budgetary period, everything is being considered. Just today, we announced the dissolution of four athletic teams at Fresno State because of budgetary constraints. We regret having to make this decision about the Allan Hancock program," said Ortiz. 

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