Here’s what apparently happened:
In a classic example of the old game “whisper,†a recent story in our local newspaper correctly noted that we were closing applications to our MT program for the fall semester of the coming year as commonly happens about this time of year. MT is our most popular major program and because application volumes are always high, we have traditionally cut off further applications for the coming fall about this time each year and then make final selections in the spring. We do so because the specialized faculty expertise, labs, classes and training-cruise resources we need for the program limit the number of students we can effectively train each year.
Unfortunately, that original story was then picked up by other papers and wire services and an erroneous headline stated that we were closing the entire program.
Again, we have closed applications for students seeking admission to the program this coming fall. We have NOT closed the program itself.
State budget cuts to the university system have had a significant impact on Cal Maritime, including twice-a-month unpaid furloughs for most faculty and staff, and freezes on hiring, travel and significant purchases. However, our prime focus in responding to the challenge has been on sustaining the quality of our programs for our students and that we are continuing to do.
MT is alive, strong and continues to be our most popular major at The California Maritime Academy along with Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Engineering, International Business and Logistics and Global Studies and Maritime Affairs. Applications for our other majors remain open at this writing.
