CSU CALLS FOR FIXED A.V. SITE BOARD OKS RESOLUTION FOR PERMANENT FACILITY.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - In a step toward gaining state funding for upper-division college classes in the Antelope Valley, California State University trustees approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a permanent off-campus center in Lancaster.

The action by the trustees moves California State University, Bakersfield's Antelope Valley center closer to being a separate line item in the state budget. Such a designation would put the center in a better position to secure funding for buildings, student services and course offerings.

``Today, the Antelope Valley has moved closer to our goal of acquiring an ongoing university presence,'' said Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster. ``The trustees' decision will ensure that residents will continue to have the opportunity to obtain a degree from a CSU, and will also open the door for future expansion and educational possibilities.''

Funding for the center has been coming out of the CSUB campus operating budget. Officials there and in the Antelope Valley want separate budget recognition for the Lancaster center's overhead costs.

The proposal will now go to the California Postsecondary Education Commission, the state's long-range planning body for higher education. CPEC's evaluation of the proposal will take six to nine months.

Also on Friday, the city of Palmdale contributed $100,000 to CSUB's Antelope Valley center, matching a similar contribution from the city of Lancaster. The funds are to offset the costs CSUB incurred in bringing in additional classrooms to Lancaster.

``This shows we have buy-in from all of our valley,'' Palmdale Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dispenza said of the contribution.

Runner said the contributions from the cities were important because they show CPEC there is ``an emotional commitment'' to making sure the center is successful. Community participation is a factor that is considered when education dollars are allocated.

California State University, Bakersfield, began offering courses in the Antelope Valley 10 years ago. The local program started with three courses and now includes nine complete upper-division course programs, three credential programs, and one master's degree program.

Enrollment has grown from a handful of students to more than 900 students this year.

Last year on the Antelope Valley College campus, Bakersfield officials opened an 11,000-square-foot classroom building once expected to be large enough for local upper-division students for about three years.

But officials said the demand for third- and fourth-year college courses in the Antelope Valley is so intense that they immediately began expansion plans.

The center recently added more than 8,000 square feet of classroom space to the Lancaster center with modular buildings.

The center also recently entered a partnership with Antelope Valley College, Fresno State University, Cal State Northridge, and others to allow engineering students to complete their first three years of an engineering degree in Lancaster.

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Photo:

Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts, left, CSUB representative Michelle St. John and Assemblyman George Runner discuss an Antelope Valley branch of CSUB.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer