Valley colleges face record demand, budget cuts - Cyndee Fontana, The Fresno Bee

Even waiting lists are crammed at Fresno City College, where thousands of students -- partly driven by the bad economy -- are scrambling for classroom seats less than three weeks before the fall semester begins. Enrollment stands at record levels in the State Center Community College District, up about 9% from last year. The district, which includes City College, is juggling both soaring demand and a multimillion-dollar cut in state funding. "This is the largest enrollment we've ever had -- and we've never had this type of financial situation," said Chancellor Tom Crow.