Assemblymember Julia Brownley, D- Santa Monica, has been appointed chair of the newly created Select Committee on Higher Education in the 21st Century by Speaker Fabian Nuñez.
The committee will focus on the University of California and California State University systems with a focus on their budgets, student fees, enrollment projections, financial aid, long range plan-ning and more.
“I am pleased that the Speaker recognized the need for this committee,” Brownley said. “The future of higher education warrants extra attention. I’d like to explore budget transparency and the state’s role and responsibility for oversight.
“In 2011, the compacts negotiated between the university systems and the governor will expire,” Brownley added. “This committee will provide an excellent way for us to prepare for 2012.”
In addition, the committee will look into public/private research projects, K-12 partnerships, career tech and graduation rates and other issues.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 11, 2008. Read the original PDF.