West L.A. officials estimated that about 10,500 students would enroll this fall. But fewer than normal were expected to be taking a full load of 12 units or more, spokeswoman Michelle Long-Coffee said. The campus is offering 721 course sections this term, compared with 775 in 2011 and 812 in 2010. That mirrors the trend systemwide, where course offerings have been slashed about 15% since 2008. Overall enrollment dropped from about 2.9 million in 2008 to 2.4 million in fall 2011, and officials have estimated a further decline this year. The community college system has suffered about $809 million in state funding cuts since 2008; it faces another $338-million cut in January if voters reject a November tax measure supported by Gov. Jerry Brown.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-college-classes-20120828,0,6461667.story
