This coming fall, students at SF State could potentially see more classes and instructors in their respective departments due to added funds coming in from the California State University.

The CSU will allocate $50.9 million in one-time funds to all 23 CSU campuses for additional classes and student support services for the fall 2010 semester. This will allow the CSU to add approximately 8,100 additional course sections and retain additional lecturers.

Approximately $3 million is allocated specifically for SF State, according to CSU media relations specialist Erik Fallis.

Fallis added that "these university funds are available thanks to an additional $76.5 million one-time federal allocation that has helped CSU meet its payroll." The CSU will use money from state support and student fee revenues previously set aside for payroll in order to provide the additional course sections. However, these funds are one-time only and are on a limited-term basis to avoid ongoing spending.

SF State senior Leslie Galang said she plans to take as many classes as she can in the fall.

"I am a business major, so it's hard for me to pick a nice class for me to settle in. I'll take whichever classes are available, even if the professors aren't that good out of desperation to graduate," the 28-year-old said.

Hospitality management major Krizia Mendoza, 21, pointed out that it's better late than never. "A lot of us wish this happened sooner. If this took place last year, I'd probably be graduating this semester," Mendoza said.

But her main concern is that even with this addition, it might still be difficult for students to get their classes. "Just think of all the build-up of students waiting for those classes over the past couple of years. There would probably be so many of us who are going to try and get into these classes," said Mendoza.

Last year, the CSU provided $25.6 million to campuses systemwide to add approximately 4,000 classes for the spring 2010 semester. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said in a press release that they waited for Gov. Schwarzenegger to announce his proposal budget for 2010-2011 so that they could release the remaining funds.

"The CSU has a strong starting point in what we know will be a long and uncertain budget process, and we want to provide students with as many courses as possible," Reed said. "Hopefully, this will help to alleviate some of the shortages in classes, and students will be able to make faster progress toward their degree."

Two weeks ago, the CSU introduced the graduation initiative which promises to raise graduation rates by 8 percent by year 2016. Adding course sections and student support programs are steps to reaching this goal.

California Faculty Association president and history professor at CSU Los Angeles Lilian Taiz said in a CFA newsletter that she applauds Reed for releasing funds to the CSU.

"We look forward to working with the Chancellor and campus presidents to ensure that every penny of this funding is used for classes and vital student services because that's the best graduation initiative we could ever have," Taiz said.