Cal Poly Pomona and other CSU schools will admit new students for the 2011 winter and spring quarters, a change of policy that reflects an infusion of federal stimulus money and a sense of optimism that legislators will restore funding for higher education in the state budget.

Winter and spring admissions were eliminated last academic year because of the state budget crisis, forcing qualified students to apply for the 2010 fall term. Transfer student applications for fall 2010 nearly doubled at Cal Poly Pomona, while first-time freshman applications increased more than 10 percent.

"The mission of the CSU is to educate California's students, and despite the uncertainty surrounding the budget, we need to provide services as best as we can," Chancellor Charles B. Reed said. "We remain optimistic that the Legislature is committed to higher education and that the final budget will restore the necessary funding to the CSU. The restoration of funding is vital to allow us to serve these students."

The decision by the chancellor's office will add about 1,600 new students in the winter and spring quarters combined at Cal Poly Pomona: 1,200 transfer students, 200 graduate students and 200 students in credential programs. The university will also add class sections and seats to better serve current students on the path to graduation.

"It's very heartening to be able to create opportunities for more students," Provost Marten denBoer said. "Our ability to add course sections and give more students the chance to continue their education in the winter and spring quarters will make a difference, and the injection of stimulus funds is significant, but we need to keep in mind that the long-term financial crisis for higher education in California has not been resolved. Real solutions must still be provided in Sacramento."

The university began mailing out letters of acceptance for the winter quarter on Sept. 28. Letters for spring quarter were sent starting in August because the decision about spring admissions came first.