Report of the Working Group on Facilities and Finance - Postsecondary Subgroup

Submission Letter

Foundation for Educational Achievement
Committed to People Seeking Modern Skills and Knowledge

William Pickens, President/CEO
8912 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard

San Diego, California 92123

February 28, 2002

The Honorable Deirdre Alpert, Chair
Joint Committee to Develop a Master Plan
for Education – Kindergarten through University

Dear Senator Alpert:

On behalf of the Joint Committee’s Postsecondary Education Subgroup of the Finance and Facilities Working Group, I am pleased to submit the following report. Our group met nine times in order to identify and evaluate the most consequential state policies for financing California’s postsecondary sector, both public and private. We agreed to gather the best research studies as the basis for our discussions, address the most difficult issues in finance policy, and recommend a long-term framework.

We began with the firm conviction that the success of higher education is essential to California’s future. For individuals, colleges and universities increase employability and the quality of life. For society, higher education helps foster an educated citizenry, people broadly literate and well capable of exercising public responsibilities. For the economy, higher education is increasingly central to our competitive edge in worldwide markets through research to develop new products and education/training designed to fill our labor force with graduates who are knowledgeable and skilled.

We also recognize and strongly support higher education’s role in promoting equal opportunity by opening paths for those individuals disadvantaged by poverty, racism or social circumstance who seek knowledge and credentials. Finally, our work recognizes the inseparable link between higher education and K-12. It is essential that colleges and universities supply well-trained teachers, signal clearly the kinds of educational preparation necessary to continue, and use research for educational reform at every level.

We agree with the Joint Committee’s staff that “California owes much of its success to the unwavering priority that has been given to encouraging the educational attainment of its people and to a commitment to ensuring that ample access is provided” to high quality programs. Our work is dedicated to ensuring that the financial resources are available to continue this priority on access and quality.

Respectfully submitted,
William H. Pickens, Chair of the Postsecondary Group