News Editor
California’s Senate Education Committee voted on Wednesday to unanimously pass a state bill that would direct increased funding to the CSU and UC systems.
Introduced by three state senators – Marty Block, D-San Diego; Kevin de Léon, D-Los Angeles and Carol Liu, D-Glendale – SB 15 prioritizes access and affordability in the state university systems. The bill, which provides $75 million to the CSU and UC systems, will help fund additional course options with the intent of helping students graduate in four years or less. Student support services will also receive funding as a result of SB 15.
SB 15’s UC funding will also offset the 5 percent tuition increase approved by the UC regents in November 2014.
Block, who also leads the Senate Budget subcommittee, said the bill improves universities’ abilities to produce college graduates.
“SB 15 will ultimately empower our public universities to prepare tens of thousands more California students for the workforce and give these students and California taxpayers a much needed bang for their buck,” Block said in a press release.
SB 15 will also result in the creation of a Graduation Incentive Grant, a financial award available to CSU students who complete 30 or more units in a school year. Depending on the number of units a student has completed, the award could range between $1,000-to-$2,000 a year.
Leaders of different education organizations praised the state Senate’s increased attention to higher education.
“At the California State Student Association, we are pleased to see that the policies outlined in the Senate Democratic Caucus proposal are focused on students and student success,” said Devon Graves, chairman of the California State Student Association. “By prioritizing the creation of more seats for qualified students to attend the CSU, improving time to degree, and expanding critical support services, it is clear that the Legislature understands the unique mission of the CSU and is recommitting to its students and their families.”
Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association, also commended the Senate on the bill.
“The California Faculty Association is pleased that the Senate is focusing its attention on an issue of importance to all Californians – higher education,” Taiz said in a December 2014 press release. “We are also pleased that the pro Tem is emphasizing the key issues of access and affordability. These issues have been of critical importance to CFA for many years.”
