Dean Florez for California Lt. Governor 2010: Colleges of the Future

“You can’t stand for your convictions if you always stand with the crowd.”
-Dean Florez

“Me” Universities

The development of the Internet, distance learning and globalization will affect the structure of California’s universities of the future. Dean believes that more opportunities for distance learning will appear and what we know as academic terms will probably disappear. As Lt. Governor, Dean will start to prepare the UC and Cal State systems for a world where students will start their courses when and where they wish. Dean will work to create “Me” universities where students can gain access to credits and self-designed, competency-based degrees through the school’s website.

Student-Driven Academics

In the future, educational information will be held electronically, and the learning media will include the Internet, interactive educational software and electronic communication between student and teacher. Print on paper will no longer be the main component of the information base. Dean will help to restructure our higher education system to develop continuous curriculum modifications that will produce self-accredited degrees based on competencies.

Stable University Funding

We need to break the bust and boom funding cycle for our state colleges and universities by creating a long-term funding source through the creation of a higher education endowment. Dean is working on a plan that in good economic times directs all surplus dollars toward a sustainable and self-sustaining California higher education endowment that supports undergraduate financial aid packages and stimulates university growth.

Early in Dean's legislative career, he led the efforts of the Senate Select Committee on Higher Education and Admissions as its special consultant.

In 2008, Dean authored SB 1679 to create a statewide higher education endowment fund that would provide California college students with supplemental financial aid. The endowment fund would be funded through new lottery sales as a result of the modernization of the lottery. Over time, with sustained increased sales, the fund could eventually grow to the point where all students could receive significant financial aid or even a free higher education.

The dream of college should be available for all students who have done the hard work necessary to succeed in school. Dean supported the largest expansion of student financial aid, which guarantees aid for eligible students. (SB 1644; 2000).

In 2008, Dean voted for SB 325, which would have established a statewide accountability system for California’s colleges and universities, similar to what we have in our K-12 education system.

Community colleges serve a vital role in providing job training and access to affordable higher education. Both of these activities improve the California economy, and yet for years they were funded differently. As a Senator, Dean voted to improve how we fund community colleges and added courses to improve employability (SB 361; 2006).

Access to college is access to the American dream. But many low-income students do not think college is possible. As a Senator, Dean supported the Early Commitment to College program. The program provides information to low-income middle and high school students who sign a pledge to enroll in college (SB 890, 2008).

As baby boomers age, California faces a critical shortage in health care professionals, including nurses. Dean supported the State Nursing Assumption Programs of Loans for Education (SNAPLE). This program pays off student loans for people who enter the nursing field. (SB 63; 2005).