SF State's new drop deadline has been extended four days as a result of the furloughs. Despite the extension, students will still need to decide whether they wish to drop a class 11 days sooner than they did last fall.

The two-week window to finalize classes, a reaction to budget cuts and class availability, is expected to remain the same in future semesters.

The University's Academic Senate pushed the drop deadline for the fall 2009 semester from Sept. 7 to Sept. 11, taking into consideration the furlough days on Sept. 4 and 8. The senate adopted the new policy at its May 12 meeting.

"We wanted to make sure that students who plan to drop a course have to do it a little earlier so that other students can get added into the vacated seats," explained Academic Senate Chair Shawn Whalen.

Taylor Stice, a freshman wait-listed in a Raza studies class, expressed her frustration as she competed with more than 10 students to add the class. "It sucks. I don't know what to do if I don't add my classes," said Stice, who is already enrolled in 10 units, but wants 16.

For Raza Studies Professor Alejandro Murguia, getting more students into class is not about moving up the drop deadline, but considering new ways to invest in education.

"What matters is that politicians are destroying education," Murguia said. "Education is not a priority in California, which is tragic."

Murguia emphasized that the California State University board of trustees voted against State Assembly Bill 656 in their July meeting. "Students were there protesting and were ignored," he said.

AB 656, an oil-extraction tax, would have generated more than $1 billion for public education, according to Phil Klasky, coordinator at the Ethnic Studies Student Resource and Empowerment Center.

"Students are scrambling to enroll in any class in order to maintain their class standing, financial aid, housing and health care," Klasky said. "These policies are all counter-productive to a well-planned, quality education, where students can take the classes they need to advance their academic career."

Mona Pertiu, a second-year business and psychology major and exchange student from London Metropolitan University, said she understands the frustration of other students.

"I am lucky because I was able to enroll in all my four classes, but I think it's good that students drop a class early as possible," she said. "If you don't add a class early you miss information and that's not good for exams purposes."

However, graduate student Jonathan Terhorst, said he didn't understand why the senate moved up the deadline. "I don't know why they did it," Terhorst, 26, said. "Yes, it will benefit those trying to add, but there's less time for people to make a decision."