BILL NUMBER: AB 1342 CHAPTERED 09/11/02 CHAPTER 458 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 28, 2002 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 20, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 17, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 1, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 31, 2001 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 1, 2001 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Alquist (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Bogh) FEBRUARY 23, 2001 An act to add Section 66015.7 to the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1342, Alquist. Postsecondary education: international education. Existing law, known as the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth, among other things, the missions and functions of California's public and independent segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, act to make a provision applicable. This bill would encourage all public and private institutions of higher education in the state to develop, as their resources permit, programs that support learning about other cultures, global issues, and the exchange of Californians and international students and scholars. The bill would, among other things, encourage institutions to develop courses and programs in international studies, to promote the presence of international students, and to facilitate international exchange programs, as their resources permit. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) International education is a critical component of higher education in California . International education contributes to the state's economy and to a diverse college environment, and it enhances both academic and cocurricular programs. (b) California now boasts the fifth largest economy in the world. Its future is tied to its leadership role in an international economy. Foreign trade is one of the key economic sectors projected to propel California's economic base forward in the next decade. (c) California needs to prepare academic, business, and technical professionals with the knowledge and skills to work and succeed in an international context. Recent world events emphasize that we need to prepare public policy professionals, social scientists, journalists, and others who understand the cultures, economics, politics, and languages of other countries. (d) We also need to understand the cultures of California's immigrants, who are bringing their diverse talents and perspectives to the state. California's institutions of higher education provide the necessary skills, training, and knowledge to accomplish these goals. Given California's place in the world of high-tech innovation and engineering, it is imperative that California's institutions of higher education train their students with world-class faculty and maintain cutting-edge research programs. International education is an important mechanism by which Californians will obtain the necessary preparation to ensure California's success in a global environment. (e) The foundation of international education is the exchange of students and scholars between countries. California has a distinguished record of achievement in international education exchange. In the 1999-2000 academic year, 10,456 California students studied in other countries, and 66,305 international students and 13,740 scholars came to California to study, teach, and engage in research. From a national perspective, California students represented 7 percent of all Americans studying abroad; and 13 percent and 18 percent of all international students and scholars, respectively, who came to the United States came to California. The scope of California's international exchange is even greater than these figures would suggest because they do not include California scholars who teach and do research abroad, nor do they include students who come here to study in intensive English Language Programs. (f) International education also involves curricular offerings that teach foreign languages, address global issues, and provide in-depth understanding of other cultures. It utilizes citizens of other countries in formal and informal settings as teaching resources. It recognizes that the development of new knowledge, the best research, and technological breakthroughs require international collaboration. SEC. 2. Section 66015.7 is added to the Education Code, to read: 66015.7. (a) In order to maintain and strengthen the high quality of international education in California, the Legislature encourages all public and private institutions of higher education to further develop, as their resources permit, programs that support learning about other cultures, global issues, and the exchange of Californians and international students and scholars. (b) For California students and scholars, institutions are encouraged, as resources permit, to accomplish all of the following: (1) Develop courses of study in as many fields as possible to increase students' understanding of global issues and cultural differences. (2) Offer courses in languages other than English to train students to communicate effectively in other cultures and to enhance their understanding of other nations' values. (3) Provide opportunities for students in all majors to participate in study abroad programs to enrich their academic training, perspectives, and personal development. (4) Provide opportunities for domestic and international students to interact effectively and routinely share their views, perceptions, and experiences in educational settings. (5) Develop innovative public educational forums and venues to explore global issues and showcase world cultures. (c) For international students and scholars, institutions are encouraged, as resources permit, to accomplish all of the following: (1) Encourage the presence of qualified students from other countries with sufficient geographic diversity to inspire an appreciation for differences among cultures and a deeper understanding of the values and perspectives of other people. (2) Facilitate faculty exchange and collaborative partnership programs with institutions in other countries. (3) Initiate collaborative research undertakings to address issues of global significance. (4) Recruit and retain the world's best and brightest faculty to educate California's students as globally competent citizens.