(Horacio Renteria)- The latter half of August is poised to be a decisive period as the AB-91 bill awaits its vote. If the bill successfully passes the final Senate committee, it will progress to a full assembly vote scheduled between September 1st and 14th.
Assemblymember David Alvarez, representing District 80, shared that if approved by the California Assembly, the AB-91 bill would create a pilot program for community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties to provide tuition fee exemptions for non-resident students.
Alvarez’s announcement took place following a meeting at Southwestern College attended by distinguished figures from San Diego’s community college educational system. The meeting was presided over by the newly appointed Chancellor of California Community College, Dr. Sonya Christian.
Reporter: David, if this legislative initiative is approved, could it potentially have a far-reaching impact not only in the California border region but even nationwide? What are your expectations?
David Alvarez: “As I discussed earlier,” he responded, “Similar legislation already exists. In Texas universities, programs like this are in place. They allow students from the Mexican border region to enroll as in-state students. It’s the very concept we are striving to implement here, tailored specifically for our border region.”
Reporter: So, it’s not exclusive to California? There are existing examples?
David Alvarez: There’s an example, and the idea is to enable something similar here, much like how students from Mexican border states like Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas are treated.
Reporter: So, shouldn’t this be considered a utopian idea or something incredibly challenging to achieve?
David Alvarez: Well, that’s what we thought, right? But now, the next step is to persuade lawmakers and the California governor. Texas is already doing it—why can’t we?
Reporter: The Chancellor (Sonya Christian) seemed genuinely interested in talking with you, and I noticed you briefly conversed as you left. She genuinely cares about the educational reforms to be made in the California legislature, and you’re one of those driving such initiatives. What can you tell us about that?
David Alvarez: Yes, for instance, she mentioned that there’s a lack of space or that application levels are rising from students aspiring to attend universities. Yet, the acceptance rate is diminishing.
“She views community colleges as a fresh opportunity, now offering four-year bachelor’s degree programs. These weren’t allowed before; such programs were exclusive to universities. Now, community colleges are also offering four-year programs.”
Reporter: By the way, the Assembly had a significant role in the four-year plan; there was an Assemblymember, I can’t remember his name, who worked extensively on this…
David Alvarez: Marty Block, of course. About ten or twelve years ago, he championed all of this. It got approved. The number of offered degrees has been growing slowly, but it’s increasing. And, as she (Christian) says as the new Chancellor, she wants to further push these programs.
“Secondly, students coming to places like Southwestern College or San Diego City College,” Alvarez continued, “often include individuals like Mary Salas. They already have families and won’t go elsewhere to study; they’ll stay here in San Diego. That’s why our University project is so important.”
“We want to have a University Center right here in Chula Vista,” the legislator added, “so that local students can continue their studies within our region.”
Reporter: And all of this can also be integrated with AB-91, we suggest, as we observed former Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, who was one of the first to mention a University for Chula Vista.
David Alvarez: She was part of the City Council. It took years and years to secure the land. Thanks to this law passed with the governor’s support, the land is now protected and designated for a University Center.