Community college enrollment growth outpaces resources, shutting out students - Lisa M. Krieger, Mercury News

The surge of students to California's community colleges is straining the two-year system. Unlike San Jose State University, the University of California, Santa Clara or Stanford, community colleges can't cap enrollment; they're required to take everyone. Enrollment at the state's community colleges grew 10.2 percent from fall 2007 to fall 2008, according to a preliminary survey. The state provided funding for only 2 percent enrollment growth during that period.