The story of Cal State Dominguez Hills is a cautionary tale about the delicate balance between enrollment, finances, and academic integrity. As the largest public four-year university system in the country, California State University (CSU) is facing a $2.3 billion budget gap, with ten of its 22 campuses experiencing double-digit enrollment declines. This has led to a chain reaction of financial struggles, including layoffs, program cuts, and a desperate search for solutions. Among these campuses, Cal State Dominguez Hills stands out, with a 20% enrollment drop since 2020 and a projected $8 million loss this year. The school's finances have been severely impacted, with reserves dwindling from $46 million in 2022 to a projected $10 million this summer. The campus has laid off 38 non-faculty staff and managers and is now facing the prospect of additional job losses as professors combine courses to average more students per course. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the school enrolls the highest share of undergraduate students receiving the federal Pell grant for low-income students, yet these students graduate at lower rates than their peers. The campus has implemented several strategies to combat these challenges, including the First Year Experience summer program, which has shown success in keeping students enrolled and improving graduation rates. The program, which costs $635,000 annually, has an 84% success rate in advancing students to their second year. Another strategy is re-enrolling students who have dropped out, with the 'Once a Toro, Always a Toro' program successfully bringing back nearly 1,100 students since 2021. However, the school is also exploring more controversial measures, such as combining courses and cutting programs, to balance its budget. The story of Cal State Dominguez Hills is a stark reminder of the challenges facing higher education institutions in the face of financial constraints and the need for innovative solutions to ensure the well-being of students and the sustainability of these institutions.
