Propose Definitions for Baccalaureate Degree Duplication and Non-Duplication

Fall
2022
Resolution Number
15.05
 
Assigned to
President
ICAS Representatives
Category
Intersegmental Issues
Summary
Assigned to: 1st Resolved: Baccalaureate Degree Workgroup members
2nd Resolved: President/ICAS members

Whereas, SB 850 (Block, 2014) established the statewide baccalaureate degree pilot program at no more than 15 California community colleges in subject areas with unmet workforce needs and in program areas that do not “unnecessarily duplicate similar programs offered by nearby public four-year institutions” [1] [Section 1.(e)], suggesting that while there may be some amount of duplication between programs proposed by California community colleges and programs offered at California State University or University of California, duplication may be necessary and is acceptable if unmet workforce needs exist or the duplication is between colleges that are not located in close proximity to each other;

Whereas, SB 850 (Block, 2014) stated that community college baccalaureate degree programs enable “place-bound local students and military veterans the opportunity to earn the baccalaureate degrees needed for new opportunities and promotion” [2] [Section 1.(f)], acknowledging the existence of place-bound students and the need for local access to a baccalaureate program;

Whereas, AB 927 (Medina, 2021) extended the operation of the California Community College baccalaureate degree program indefinitely and expanded the opportunity to all California community colleges, while requiring that a district “identify and document unmet workforce needs in the subject area of the baccalaureate degree to be offered and offer a baccalaureate degree at a campus in a subject area with unmet workforce needs in the local community or region of the district,” [3] again acknowledging the importance of locality in considerations of duplication; and

Whereas, Education Code § 78042(i)(1-3) require that the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges “consult with and seek feedback from the Chancellor of the California State University, the President of the University of California, and the President of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities,” who may “notify institutions with physical campuses in the service area of the community college district seeking the proposed baccalaureate degree” [4] and may submit written objections if proposed baccalaureate degrees are duplicative of existing baccalaureate degrees offered by the state universities, acknowledging the importance of locality in assessing need and potential for duplication;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and system stakeholder groups to define duplication as it relates to California community college baccalaureate degree programs, with consideration to local unmet workforce needs, regional rather than statewide duplication, and potential impact on place-bound students; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with leaders of the University of California Academic Senate and Academic Senate of the California State University through the Intersegmental Committee of Academic Senates (ICAS) to advocate for a definition of duplication that includes consideration for local unmet workforce needs, regional rather than statewide duplication, and potential impact on place-bound students while acknowledging the different roles and philosophical intentions of each system’s baccalaureate degrees, including in preparing students for careers, post-graduate education, and on-going research.

M/S/U


[1] SB 850 (Block, 2014): https://openstates.org/ca/bills/20132014/SB850/.
[2] Ibid.
[3] AB 927 (Medina, 2021): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB927.
[4] Education Code §78042 https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/education-code/edc-sect-78042/.