The University of California regents voted Wednesday to cut freshman enrollment by 6 percent, slashing 2,300 spots as the UC system grapples with expected cuts in state funding.
With UC receiving a record number of applications this year, the regents' action means heartache for some high school seniors hoping to attend a UC campus come fall.
Regent Eddie Island, who opposed the measure, said enrollment cuts would disproportionately affect underrepresented minorities.
"If we do this, if we break this promise to California citizens, we're going to lose public support," he said.
Regents in favor said the cuts were necessary to maintain quality.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal calls for cutting $131 million from the UC system by June 2010 and eliminating a planned budget increase of $210 million for 2009-10.
UCLA and UC Berkeley will not be affected by Wednesday's decision and enrollment at UC Merced will continue to grow. Enrollment at the university system's other six campuses will be reduced.
In an effort to address concerns about access, the regents increased the number of transfer students the university would accept by 500 this year and 250 in subsequent years.
In another cost-cutting move, the regents unanimously approved a freeze on salaries to 285 top administrators and to end bonuses for them and many other employees.
Call The Bee's Robert Faturechi, (916) 321-1098. The Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.
