GROSSMONT COLLEGE (Press Release)- The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has applauded Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing SB 1440, the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR), said Chancellor Cindy Miles.
“The legislation recognizes the need to streamline the transfer process and provides an improved, more efficient pathway between California Community Colleges and California State Universities.”
“We are so appreciative that our legislative delegation — both Democrats and Republicans – and Governor Schwarzenegger have actively supported this bill,” Miles said.
“SB 1440 sends a strong and encouraging message to our students, letting them know that if they obtain a community college associate degree for transfer, they will be guaranteed admission with junior standing to the California State University system, including priority admission to their local CSU campus. This commitment is historic.”
In addition, SB 1440 is projected by state officials to save the state about $160 million annually by freeing up capacity to serve more students in both the community college and California State University systems.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board president Bill Garrett, whose board has been very active in student success initiatives, said that removing educational and financial barriers to student success is crucial.
“It is very important,” he said, “that the law simplifies the transfer process so that students will not be required to take excess class units to make up for courses that did not transfer from their community college. Many of our 30,000 students balance full or part-time jobs with a full class load. Saving time and money with a more clearly defined pathway will be very beneficial.”
“As state Chancellor Jack Scott told us in his recent visit to Cuyamaca College, the state funding cuts and delays are a tragedy,” Garrett said. “Despite our limited resources, we continue to use what we have thoughtfully, strategically, and deliberately. We’re still serving students first, keeping them foremost in our minds and hearts, and we’re still planning ahead.”
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Preceding provided by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
