The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) was the

higher education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...

planning and coordinating agency from 1974 to 2011 under the

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive (government), execu ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

History

The 1960

California Master Plan for Higher Education The California Master Plan for Higher Education of 1960 was developed by a survey team appointed by the Regents of the University of California and the California State Board of Education during the administration of Governor Pat Brown. UC preside ...

recognized that critical to the success of 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.Assembly Bill 770 (Chapter 1187 of the Statutes of 1973)
Education Code Section 66900-66906
. The Commission serves a unique role in integrating policy, fiscal, and programmatic analyses about California's entire system of

postsecondary education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...

; "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 2011–2012 was eliminated by governor

Jerry Brown Edmund Gerald Brown Jr. (born April 7, 1938) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who served as the 34th and 39th governor of California from 1975 to 1983 and 2011 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic P ...

in a line item veto upon signing the State Budget on June 30, 2011.

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 Community Colleges is a postsecondary education system in the U.S. state of California.California Education CodSection 70900(added to the Education Code by Chapter 973 of the California Statutes of 1988Assembly Bill No. 1725 secti ...

, the

California State University The California State University (Cal State or CSU) is a Public university, public university system in California, and the List of largest universities and university networks by enrollment, largest public university system in the United States ...

, the

University of California The University of California (UC) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university, research university system in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Oakland, California, Oakland, the system is co ...

, the independent colleges and universities, and the State Board of Education), 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 A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...

and

Legislature A legislature (, ) is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial power ...

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.

References