Community colleges would be able to award far more bachelors degrees if Newsom approves
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Set us as preferred Lawmakers late Monday night sent Gov.Gavin Newsom a pair of bills that would make it easier for community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees — a significant reshaping of higher education opportunities in California — but the legislation shares similarities with other measures Newsom has vetoed.The latest bills would replace the state’s current ban on community colleges offering any bachelor’s degree already taught at California State University or University of California campuses.
In its place, they set up a system based on regional workforce needs and community college performance.Each takes effect only if the other becomes law.The bills received a key endorsement from CSU, which has resisted past efforts out of concern that far less costly community college degrees could siphon students from its campuses.Newsom has not signaled his view.
He has rejected previous attempts since 2024 to let community colleges grant nursing bachelor’s degrees, when he warned such moves could cause conflict among the state’s three higher education systems.Sen.Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento) wrote SB 960.
Assemblymembers David Alvarez (D-San Diego) and Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) authored AB 2694.The bills mainly affect CSU, which awards far more bachelor’s degrees than UC and a smaller share of master’s and doctoral degrees.Under the bills, a community college could offer a bachelor’s degree that overlaps with a nearby CSU program if that CSU program has been hard to get into for years.
It could do the same if state labor officials find a local job shortage the CSU program isn’t filling.Community colleges with strong track records in graduating and transferring students would be allowed to offer more new bachelor’s degrees than colleges with weaker records.If Newsom approves the bills, th...