California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris Applauds State Assembly Committee Passage of Bill Allowing Community Colleges to Award Bachelor's Degrees

MEDIA STATEMENT June 24, 2014 SACRAMENTO - California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris issued the following statement after the Assembly Higher Education Committee today passed SB 850 (Block), which would permit community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in limited circumstances: "I applaud the Assembly Higher Education Committee for approving this bill designed to address unmet workforce needs where career entry requirements have progressed beyond the associate degree level. The legislation would expand educational access and job training opportunities for thousands of Californians. Community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees under this bill would not duplicate those degrees that the University of California or California State University award." The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year.

Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor's Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/.