2011 admissions reflect a changing UC in record high numbers of nonresident and Chicano/Latino students
By Crystal Hsing
July 5, 2011 4:18 a.m.
An expanding population of undergraduates at the University of California will include historically high numbers of nonresident and Chicano/Latino students, according to preliminary enrollment data released by the UC Office of the President last week.
Nonresident students compose around 12 percent of the incoming freshman class systemwide, compared to last year’s 8 percent and doubling 2009’s 6 percent. At UCLA, the percentage of California residents who submitted statements of intent to register dropped from 85 to 82 percent, while the proportion of international students rose from 8 to 11 percent.
While UCLA has actively recruited nonresident students this year to offset reductions in state funding, the university remains committed to maintaining the same level of California resident enrollment, said Janina Montero, vice chancellor of student affairs. UCLA enrolled 823 more California residents this year than last year, Montero said.
“What’s really important to know is that the total number of California students remains very strong,” she said.
Only one school in the UC system, Berkeley, admitted a higher rate of non-California students than UCLA. Berkeley also had the lowest percentage of California freshman enrollment this year, at 70 percent.
Numbers of traditionally underrepresented students are on the rise as well. University-wide, underrepresented students compose 31 percent of the freshman class, a 3 percent increase over last year.
Of California residents, Chicano/Latino students constitute nearly 26 percent of the incoming class, which is the largest percentage in UC history, said Pamela Burnett, UC’s interim director of undergraduate admissions, in a press conference.
The number of transfer students sending statements of intent to register also increased systemwide, by about five percent. UCLA saw its numbers drop slightly from last year, however.
Efforts to expand recruitment events and activities have contributed to the boosted SIR rates overall, Montero said. This year’s first-ever Bruin Day, during which 10,000 prospective students and their families visited the campus in April, is one example of the school’s attempt to reach out to admitted students, Montero said.
In addition to organizing campus-wide events, the administration has also encouraged student groups to reach out to specific communities, Montero said.
“We do a lot of outreach to student groups, and we’ve seen a lot of these student organizations participate by hosting students from specific communities who have been admitted and are interested in attending,” Montero said.
Montero said that while it is too early to tell how reduction in state funding will affect future enrollment targets, she expects enrollment to remain stable. The fact that the number of applicants increased from 57,600 for fall 2010 to 61,500 for fall 2011 indicates that student demand for UCLA remains strong despite budget cuts, said UCLA spokeswoman Claudia Luther.
