Public postsecondary education: community colleges: statewide baccalaureate degree program.

Existing law authorizes the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, in consultation with the California State University and the University of California, to authorize the establishment of district baccalaureate degree programs, as provided. Existing law requires, as part of the application and review process, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to ensure that a community college district is provided with 2 timelines in which to apply for a baccalaureate degree program and receive notice of approval or rejection, as specified, that only 15 baccalaureate degree programs are approved during each application period allowing for a total of 30 baccalaureate degree programs per academic year, and that a minimum of 30 working days is taken to validate the submitted information and assess the workforce value of the proposed baccalaureate degree program, as specified. This bill would instead require that a community college district is provided with one timeline in which to apply for a baccalaureate degree program, with a total of 30 baccalaureate degree programs approved per academic year, and that a minimum of 90 days is taken to validate the submitted information and assess the workforce value of the proposed baccalaureate degree program. Existing law requires the chancellor to 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 on proposed baccalaureate degree programs, as specified. Under existing law the California State University and the University of California may assess whether proposed baccalaureate degree programs are duplicative of existing baccalaureate programs offered by state universities. If the California State University or the University of California believes there is program duplication they are required to submit written objections with supporting evidence to the chancellor within 30 working days of receipt of the proposal, and the chancellor has 30 working days after receipt of written objections to convene with the applicant and the segment or segments that raised an objection to collaborate and establish a written agreement before the program is approved. This bill would instead provide that the California State University and the University of California have 105 days after receipt of the proposal to submit written objections with supporting evidence and the chancellor has 90 days after receipt of written objections to convene with the applicant and the segment or segments that raised an objection to collaborate and establish a written agreement before the program is approved.