Recognizing California’s Public Higher Education Systems

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H. RES. 442 IH – Recognizing the Importance of California’s Public Higher Education Systems

Direct Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hres442ih

Background

The California Master Plan for Higher Education, enacted in 1960, outlines the framework of the roles, missions, and access policies for the three systems of public higher education in California—the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges.

The Three Systems of Public Higher Education

University of California: focuses on research and delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, providing highly skilled graduates to the workforce.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: focuses on teaching and delivering undergraduate, master’s level, and select doctoral degrees for careers tailored to the regional economic needs of the university and industry needs of the State.
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: open to all Californians, offering the most affordable education, acting as a pipeline for transferring to the other two systems, and providing vocational and workforce education in fields ranging from automotive repair to zoology.

Significance of Public Higher Education in California

The size and reach of public higher education students in California is significant and extensive. The University of California enrolled a record high of 299,407 students in Fall 2024 semester across its 10 campuses and has more than 2,000,000 alumni living and working around the world.

Economic Impact

The University of California generates $12,000,000,000 in Federal, State, and local taxes and $82,000,000,000 in economic activity per year, supporting 529,000 jobs through activities and spending, ranking as the third largest employer in California.
The California State University generates $26,900,000,000 in industry activity, employing more than 63,000 faculty and staff, helping create 209,400 jobs annually, and offering more than 4,000 degree programs that align with the State’s workforce demands.
The California Community Colleges add $170,300,000,000 to the State’s economy, equal to 5 percent of the State’s total gross State product, supporting 1,700,000 jobs annually.

Conclusion

The public higher education systems in California are a critical and substantial component to fostering economic growth in the State. This resolution recognizes the importance of these systems, commends their achievements, and reaffirms unwavering commitment to supporting them.