California postsecondary education commission

The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) was the higher education

Higher education

Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...

planning and coordinating agency of the government

Government of California

The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...

of the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

of California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. It closed in 2011.

Commission History

The 1960 California Master Plan for Higher Education

California Master Plan for Higher Education

The California Master Plan for Higher Education of 1960 was developed by a survey team appointed by the UC Regents and the State Board of Education during the administration of Governor Pat Brown. Clark Kerr, then the President of UC, was a key figure in its development...

recognized that critical to the success of the California's tripartite system of public higher education was a central body responsible for coordination and planning for higher education. The California Postsecondary Education Commission was established in 1974 as the State planning and coordinating body for higher education. The Commission serves a unique role in integrating policy, fiscal, and programmatic analyses about California's entire system of postsecondary education; "to assure the effective utilization of public postsecondary education resources, thereby eliminating waste and unnecessary duplication, and to promote diversity, innovation, and responsiveness to student and societal needs through planning and coordination."

Closure

The California Postsecondary Education Commission's entire General Fund allocation ($1,927,000) for 2011-12 was eliminated by Governor Brown in a line item veto upon signing the State Budget on June 30, 2011. In his veto message the Governor said the Commission was "ineffective".

Composition

The Commission consisted of 16 members, nine of whom represent the general public, five who represent the major systems of California education (the California Community Colleges, the California State University

California State University

The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...

, the University of California

University of California

The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...

, the independent colleges and universities, and the State Board of Education

California State Board of Education

The California State Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body of the California Department of Education. The State Board of Education sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability...

), and two student representatives.
The Commission appointed its executive director who coordinates the agency's staff to carry out the day to day work of the Commission. Its external affairs staff interacted on a daily basis with legislators and their staff, administrative offices, governmental officials, and media representatives. Its research staff prepares analyses, briefs, and numerous reports approved and published by the Commission. They also engaged in various continuing activities such as reviewing proposed academic programs, new campuses or centers, conducting data analysis of student flow, and responding to requests of the Legislature and Governor.

Purpose

While there are many tasks and responsibilities which the Commission and its staff fulfill, the primary statutory purposes of the California Postsecondary Education Commission are:

Develop an ongoing statewide plan for the operation of an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, innovative and coordinated system of postsecondary education;
Identify and recommend policies to meet the educational, research and public service needs of the State of California; and
Advise the Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...

and Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...

on policy and budget priorities that best preserve broad access to high quality postsecondary education opportunities.

In carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission reflects a deep commitment to serving the State as a whole, consistent with the underlying philosophy of California's Master Plan for Higher Education. The Commission is committed to an educational environment that exemplifies equality and educational opportunity, as well as a focus on student and institutional achievement and accountability.

Responsibilities

Among the duties and responsibilities of the Commission were the following:

Provide independent, comprehensive, and timely information about student enrollment, educational outcomes and other educational policy issues;
Conduct long-range planning of the needs for new college or university campuses in light of projected enrollment demand;
Review proposals from public colleges and universities for new degree programs;
Serve as the State's primary information clearinghouse for postsecondary education;
Evaluate budget requests of State-supported colleges and universities;
Develop policy recommendations regarding financial aid programs for California students;
Seek strategies for greater efficiency and cost containment in postsecondary education;
Administer federal programs that improve teacher training by facilitating collaboration between K-12 and higher education faculties;
Recommend to the Legislature and the Governor legislation the Commission deems necessary or appropriate to improve postsecondary education in California;
Encourage greater cooperation and collaboration between and among California educational systems.

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