By Adiana Vega
Staff Writer

“What is Extended University?” That seems to be the main question almost every student attending California State University, Bakersfield’s main campus asks. What students do not know is that Extended University is everything CSUB is not.

Extended University Intern Dean Randy Shultz says, “Extended University does all the things that the main campus university doesn’t do.” For example, Extended University has regional programs that have degrees that are offered in Santa Clarita and through CSUB, so it’s a CSUB program, but Extended University does all the programming.

Another program Extended University has is Open University. Open University is a program through Extended University that allows students who are academically disqualified to enroll in courses to help bring up their GPA and ask o enroll back into the university. When a student does not have the minimum GPA and gets academically disqualified that student may take courses through Open University to raise their GPA and take courses within their specific degree without being enrolled through CSUB’s main campus and paying the whole tuition fee.

Unfortunately, if a student is enrolled in Open University to try to get admitted back into CSUB he or she may only transfer 13 units of Open University units. Depending on programs and certificates, GPA may or may not be necessary. Certificates taken through Extended University do not need GPA requirements, they are not academic courses and do not receive academic credit but when the student completes the course in the particular area, the student receives the certificate.

So exactly how much are these programs and why are they so expensive compared to main campus prices?

Schultz says, “Extended U. is self sufficient, so we don’t get any money from the state of California, we don’t get any money from the governor, we don’t get any money from the legislator. All the money we get, is the money we charge people to use our services.”

Because Extended University is self sufficient they must charge $185 per unit per class for undergraduate courses and $215 for graduate level courses to keep Extended University functioning since they pay for all costs. Costs have covered everything from their office to be built on campus and even covered CSUB for the services on campus, including police security and janitorial services. Schultz works with Tanya Snyder, the Director of Extension Programs for the financial budget. The Director of Extension Programs is the one in charge of letting the Intern Dean know how much money each program has in its budget and how much can go towards supplies and other necessities for the specific program.

“I tell him what he is allowed to spend, in other words,” says Snyder.

If the student decides to take a 5 unit course through Extended University, then the student will pay anywhere between $800 to $1000 and if the student takes the same amount of units or any units under six through main campus, the student will spend $1492 because he or she will be charged for all the ASI, health services and any other fees students are charged for.

About 900 students are enrolled through Extended University that attend main campus classes but there are other programs like the Intense English Learning Center where non-English students enroll in to learn the English language and eventually enroll in the main campus.

The I.E.L.C has about 40 people at a time, but out of the 900 students that attend main campus classes only less than 400 are enrolled full time.

Student Assistant Samantha Monsalvo says, “ I would recommend students to Extended University because it’s an outlet. If you don’t want to be on main campus but still want to fulfill your desires in higher education you can attend Extended University and only pay for the units instead of all the other fees.”

Financial aid is available for students in the regional program and who are working towards a degree. Any certificate programs or courses taken through Open University are not eligible fore financial aid and must pay out of pocket or through a private loan.