REPORT: PLAN NOW FOR INFLUX AT COLLEGES STATE MUST ADOPT STRATEGY TO AVOID LIMITS ON ACCESS.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer California's public universities must begin planning now to handle an influx of 837,000 additional students predicted by 2013, a report released Wednesday Wednesday: see week. recommends. The study by the nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. Campaign for College Opportunity said access to the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). and California State University systems California State University System, coordinating agency established in 1960 by the merger of individual California state colleges, now consisting of 23 campuses. will become increasingly difficult unless a strategic plan is developed now. ``Californians strongly believe in providing college opportunity,'' said Abdi Abdi (ăb`dī), in the Bible. 1 Merarite Levites. 2 Israelite married to a foreign wife. Soltani, executive director of the organization. ``Whether these young people will have the opportunity to go on to college depends entirely on the choices we make as a state.'' Already, students are complaining about overcrowded o·ver·crowd v. o·ver·crowd·ed, o·ver·crowd·ing, o·ver·crowds v.tr. To cause to be excessively crowded: a system of consolidation that only overcrowded the classrooms. classes where they have to sit on the floor and traveling to multiple campuses to get the classes they need. What used to be a four-year degree now takes students six years or more to earn. Paul Garza, vice president of work force and economic development with the Orange County Business Council, said local school districts and the university systems need to work together rather than competing with one another for funding. ``If students get turned away (from college) that means future workers will earn less, contribute less to state revenues, businesses won't have the educated work force and we won't be able to have a first-rate economy.'' Among the campaign's recommendations: --Develop a comprehensive, 10-year College Opportunity Plan that includes the state's universities, private colleges, community colleges, K-12 and financial aid. --Make funding for higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. a top priority by developing a long- term financing plan. --Encourage higher education leaders to share resources and streamline services to improve efficiency. --Set a predictable fee policy, matched with additional financial aid. Parents and students, beginning in middle school, also need better education about the availability of financial aid. The report was result of a five-month statewide ``listening'' tour that incorporated the views of more than 1,600 Californians representing more than 400 organizations, as well as individual parents, students and educators. Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com |
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