Public postsecondary education: academic exchange programs: plan., the official text

An act to add Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 99110) to Part 65 of Division 14 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to public postsecondary education.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, as 2 of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state.
This bill, commencing with the 2027–28 academic year, would require the California State University, and would request the University of California, to adopt a plan to increase the number of students participating in exchange programs with Mexican public universities, as provided. The bill would require these provisions to become operative only upon an appropriation of funds for its purposes.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 99110) is added to Part 65 of Division 14 of Title 3 of the Education Code, to read:
2.3.
California-Mexico Higher Education Academic Exchange Programs99110.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) The California-Mexico region is composed of 170,000,000 residents and represents the 5th and 12th largest economies of the world, respectively.
(2) There are very few policies or a long-term plan to remain as one of the most productive and competitive megaregions.
(3) A most critical issue is the almost nonexistent higher education exchange of students, faculty, researchers, and policymakers in the California-Mexico megaregion, despite the prime financial relationship that binds them as each other’s top economic partner.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to strengthen educational exchanges between students from California and Mexico.

99111.
Commencing with the 2027–28 academic year, the California State University shall, and the University of California is requested to, adopt a plan to increase the number of students participating in exchange programs with Mexican public universities. The plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(a) A description of existing exchange programs and institutional partnerships with Mexican public universities.
(b) Strategies to increase student participation in exchange opportunities, including, but not limited to, expanding student access to or establishing exchange programs.
(c) Goals for expanding institutional partnerships with Mexican public universities.
(d) Outreach and student support activities designed to promote participation.
(e) Strategies to facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration among campuses within their respective systems, including, but not limited to, the sharing of resources, grant funding opportunities, best practices, and knowledge on exchange programs.

99112.
This chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation of funds for its purposes.