BILL ANALYSIS
AB 24
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 17, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Anthony Portantino, Chair
AB 24 (Block) - As Amended: February 26, 2009
SUBJECT : California State University: feasibility study: Chula
Vista.
SUMMARY : Requires the Trustees of the California State
University (Trustees) to conduct a study regarding the
feasibility of a California State University (CSU) campus at
Chula Vista with private funds. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the Trustees to conduct a study by January 1, 2011,
regarding the feasibility of a CSU satellite program, and
ultimately, an independent CSU campus, at Chula Vista.
2)Provides that the study shall include:
a) Ten-year enrollment projections and physical capacity
analysis;
b) Regional workforce needs;
c) Prospective economic impact and job creation in the
region;
d) Infrastructure availability;
e) The potential alleviation of overcrowding and traffic at
the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus;
f) Considerations of plausible alternatives;
g) Academic planning and program justification;
h) Description of proposed student services and student
outreach programs;
i) Support and capital outlay budget projection;
j) Geographic and physical accessibility;
aa) Environmental and social impact; and,
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bb) Effect on other institutions.
3)Provides that the feasibility study should be derived solely
from private sources.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes CSU administered by the Trustees, and provides
that the Trustees shall have the full power over the
construction and development of any CSU campus and any
buildings or other facilities or improvements connected with
CSU.
2)Declares the intent of the Legislature that sites for new
institutions or branches of the University of California (UC)
or CSU shall not be authorized or acquired unless recommended
by CPEC and provides that all proposals for new colleges or
programs shall be forwarded to CPEC for review and that CPEC
shall review the proposals within 60 days of submission.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : Background on Development of a University at Chula
Vista: The concept of locating a four-year university in Chula
Vista was introduced in 1993, during the development of the Otay
Ranch land-use plan. Approximately 375 acres, which the city
valued at $250-$300 million in June of 2008, are currently set
aside for the project. Over the past several years, the City of
Chula Vista and members of the community have worked to recruit
a university to the land. In mid-2005 it was reported that the
city was looking at a multi-school campus model where the
schools would share facilities such as classrooms and a library,
and the institutions could be either public or private.
Purpose of this Bill : According to the author, the current 23
CSU campuses are not large enough to accommodate the growing
demand for a four-year college degree. The author points out
that CSU is already overenrolled by 10,000 students, while at
the same time the demand for a four-year degree is increasing.
The author argues that for the fall 2008 semester SDSU turned
away 68.8% of the 50,000 first-time freshmen who applied, and of
the 62,330 total undergraduates that applied, only 34% were
admitted. According to the author, building a CSU campus in
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Chula Vista would create an option for tens of thousands of
Southern California students who are being turned away from
impacted campuses such as SDSU.
Enrollment and Access at the CSU: CSU's enrollment for 2008-09
is 11,000 to 15,000 above its last budgeted enrollment level.
In order to align enrollment with budgeted resources, CSU plans
to continue with enrollment management techniques such as
redirecting students to non-impacted campuses, giving priority
to local-area applicants, adjusting application deadlines,
restricting lower-division transfers, and reducing the number of
students admitted by exception.
CSU Position: CSU has not taken a position on this bill, with
the understanding that funding would need to be provided to
complete the requested study. CSU argues that the state has not
provided resources sufficient for CSU to meet the needs of
students and fund current operations. CSU believes that the
study should include review options that provide access to
students through collaborative solutions with other education
segments and alternative approaches such as joint use and share
facilities, evening programs, and distance learning.
Process for Establishing Campuses : This bill requires the
Trustees to conduct a feasibility study of a CSU campus at Chula
Vista. However, as noted above, existing law delegates CPEC as
responsible for advising regarding, and ultimately authorizing,
new campus locations. The author may wish to consider the
appropriate role for CPEC in the feasibility study.
Statewide vs. Southern California Campus Needs : It is unclear
if the goal of this legislation is to allow more students to
attend university in Southern California or to increase overall
student capacity within the CSU system. If the goal is to
increase capacity within the CSU system as a whole, the author
may wish to consider requiring the Trustees, in coordination
with CPEC, to conduct a statewide campus needs analysis.
Previous Legislation : SCR 92 (Peace), Resolution Chapter 104,
Statutes of 1998, resolved that the Legislature endorses a
proposed City of Chula Vista site for possible future use as a
UC campus. Subsequently, the UC Regents moved forward with
plans to develop UC Merced; the 1987 statewide needs assessment
found the central valley area was in greatest need for a UC
campus. UC Merced opened on September 5, 2005.
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
California Communities United Institute
California State Employees Association
City of Chula Vista, Office of the Mayor
County of San Diego
Crossroads II
National City Chamber of Commerce
Rolando Community Council
South Bay Expressway, L.P.
San Ysidro Health Center
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960