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University Access in the High Desert

Higher Education Opportunities in the High Desert - Many students live in areas that are underserved by public institutions of higher education. In the Antelope Valley, the closest CSU or UC is at least 40 miles away, if not farther. It is essential that the state provide educational opportunities to those interested students. Many areas have substantial student demand that is exceeding the current availability and capacity.

CSU Bakersfield/AV College - I support full recognition of the CSU Bakersfield/AV College as an official CSU Center with the necessary enrollment to ensure state funding. To that end, the CSU Chancellor recently authorized the facility as an official CSU Center. The next step for expansion is for the Center to demonstrate it has an enrollment of at least the equivalent of 500 full-time students so that it can be recognized by both the CSU Board of Trustees and the California Postsecondary Education Committee. The Campus can then become an individual line item in the Budget and the funding will no longer be dependent upon the university to which it was previously attached. This is a first step towards realizing our future goal of having a four-year institution of higher education in the High Desert.

Field Act - A simple, straightforward way to increase school facility availability for joint use. Removing California Community Colleges from Field Act provisions is appropriate, as they should be treated no different than California's other public institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, removing community college construction will not weaken or compromise the safety of those working or attending these schools. The only real difference will be a reduction in the costs of construction. We need to protect the safety of the students while maximizing the efficiency of limited state and college capital outlay funds.

Equalization (Community Colleges) - Community colleges give benefits to the entire community, yet the colleges that receive funding below the statewide average are still expected to provide the same opportunities to students as other colleges who receive more dollars per student. All community colleges should be funded at an adequate statewide average and should not be penalized because of their particular location. It is time to establish an equitable funding system in order to ensure that no community college student is funded at an adequate level regardless of where they live in California.

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