'Career Students' Could Be Targeted By Budget Cuts

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- The new round of budget cuts expected for the upcoming fiscal year may include a proposal that would severely restrict – or eliminate altogether – repeat enrollment in college classes.

A new report from the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office says the state should target so-called "career community college students," those who rack up more than 100 units by repeating the same classes.

All students at American River College currently pay $26 a unit, but if the plan goes through, students wanting to repeat a course would have to pay $191 per unit. The state could also eliminate repeat classes altogether, saving the state a projected $235 million.

Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brice Harris said he look "favorably" on the proposal and said the idea may prevent classroom cuts while opening up enrollment for first-time students.

"We can look at repeat ability statewide," Harris said, "and then we can streamline how many students we let in."

The proposal would likely become part of the ongoing state budget talks at could be passed as part of the state budget package.

The deadline for the budget is June 30, but Governor Jerry Brown says he wants the budget passed as soon as March to pave the way for voter-approved funding measures in June.