SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill (AB) 736, a measure which could eventually pave the way for a new California State University Campus in the Antelope Valley, received bipartisan approval in the state Assembly with a vote of 67-6, according to an announcement by Assemblymember Steve Fox (D-Palmdale).
The bill authorizes leaders of the California State University system to study the need for a four-year university in the Antelope Valley.
“Access to higher education must be a priority in all parts of California,” Fox said. “In my district, high school graduates have fewer options to attend college than their peers in other parts of the state. This bill aims to allow our students to get a local education and create the jobs we need for tomorrow’s economy.”
Although CSU Bakersfield has a campus center in Lancaster, co-located at Antelope Valley College, budget cuts have resulted in a reduction in classes and student enrollment.
Meanwhile, the Antelope Valley has a critical shortage of licensed health care workers, engineers, and math and science teachers.
The California State University Antelope Valley bill requires the Chancellor of the CSU system to conduct a feasibility study to determine the necessity for an Antelope Valley campus.
The study will include elements such as enrollment projections, regional workforce needs, the potential for job creation in the region, and the effects of a new campus on other local educational institutions. It will be funded by non-state resources.
The bill now goes to the State Senate for consideration. For more information, visit www.asmdc.org/fox.
QHR says
Long overdue! Glad to see someone looking out.
Raptormann says
Let’s see if he does anything to try and block the stupid gun control laws coming up in the Assembly. I’m not talking about voting against them, but taking the lead to fight them. If he doesn’t, I know several hundred people who will mobilize against him this next year with money and volunteers.
Ya listening Steve? Are you?
Green is a cover-up says
Maybe Marvin “the RAT” Crist can team up with his buddy Newt “i wanna be a player” Chalet and launch a investigation or file charges to help the effort.
BGF says
When he was on the Board of Trustees at AVC he was the biggest roadblock to any progress ever being made….