Classes fuller with fewer openings at Fullerton College

The Orange County Register

08.17.09

By Barbara Giasone

FULLERTON – Fall semester opening day enrollment at Fullerton College on Monday was 19,883, down 1 percent from last year, according to college research director Ken Meehan.

Meehan said the biggest change this semester has been the result of the impact of statewide budget cuts.

"We are offering nearly 300 fewer sections than last fall, from 2,344 to 2,060," Meehan said. "So, we are nearly at capacity with a 97 percent fill rate (seats taken compared to seats available), compared to an 87 percent fill rate on the first day of classes last year."

But the decrease didn't affect the parking situation. Some of the students found parking at a premium as they circled the adjoining neighborhoods as early as 7:30 a.m. on Monday.

Fullerton police Sgt. Mike MacDonald said parking control officers will give students two weeks grace for parking violations on the streets and in the parking structure.

"After that, tickets costing $34.50 each will be issued," MacDonald said.

Students will have until Aug. 31 to purchase a parking pass or pick up their parking pass before Campus Safety begins issuing parking citations. This citation-less period only applies to campus parking lots and structures.

The campus rules do not apply to the parking structure on the corner of Chapman Avenue and Lemon Street, which is owned and operated by the city of Fullerton. Parking in staff lots is prohibited at all times.

For the first time, the college set up signs on street corners one week before school resumed. The signage asks residents to have patience for two weeks until students settle in.

"This is a positive move," longtime resident Bob Eggert said. "I think it's a good way of communicating after the district didn't let us know about the field renovations."