Posts Tagged ‘csu’

“USF Steps Up” Program Offers Half-Price Tuition to Visiting Students at Regional Campuses

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Did you know that the University of San Francisco has satellite campuses in Cupertino, San Ramon, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento*? (I didn’t.) Anyway, the Jesuits are riding to the rescue for students “trapped” by the University of California and California State University, or something like that. Read all about it:

USF has stepped up to offer select courses to Californians at its regional campuses and we’ve lowered tuition more than 50% for these courses. The courses are offered through USF Steps Up, a new program to help non-USF students trapped by the devastating budget cuts at California’s public universities and give them the classes they need to graduate.

“The University of San Francisco is committed to California’s students and is swinging open its doors in Cupertino, San Ramon, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento to help students fulfill their General Education (GE) coursework. Classes start January 25th and federal student aid may be available for eligible students attending other area universities.

USF’s main campus as it appears when Sausalito has Fourth of July fireworks: 

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“For over 150 years the University of San Francisco has excelled at educating California’s students. In these tough times, we hope to serve your educational needs as well. Come learn with our excellent faculty at one of our regional campuses.

What: Transferable General Education courses for spring semester 2010
When: January 25 – May 13, 2010
Where: Cupertino, San Ramon, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento
How: Attend USF as a visiting student
How much: Tuition is $560 a unit for classes in the USF Steps Up program

‘USF Steps Up’ to Offer Half Price Courses

Response to California’s Budget and Education Crisis

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15 — The University of San Francisco, a private Jesuit university, will offer a limited number of general education courses for half price at its regional campuses starting in January 2010. The courses are offered through USF Steps Up, a new program to help non-USF students trapped by the devastating budget cuts at California’s public universities and give them the classes they need to graduate.

Budget cuts at the University of California and California State University systems have resulted in layoffs, course reductions, and higher fees and left students scrambling for classes, many of which have been cancelled. “I’ve heard heartbreaking stories from my colleagues at state schools,” says Jennifer Turpin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Francisco.  “Students are begging to get into classes, but they can’t graduate because they can’t get the classes they need. We realized we could help these students and California by offering these classes at our regional campuses, where USF already has a presence.”

More deets after the jump

* Sacramento, where you at Sacramento?

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Hey California Professors: Act to Lower Textbook Prices – It’s the Law!

Friday, August 15th, 2008

The California State Auditor has a new report about the prices of college textbooks. Unless you are a publisher, this report won’t come as good news. Check it:

“Over the past several years, the State has enacted two state laws to encourage faculty and campuses to mitigate the impact of textbook costs on students.

Assembly Bill 2477 (AB 2477) signed by the governor and effective January 1, 2005, requires CSU trustees and the board of governors of the community colleges, and encourages UC regents, to work with their respective academic senates to encourage faculty to consider the least costly practices in assigning textbooks.”

“Signed by the governor and effective January 1, 2008, Assembly Bill 1548 (AB 1548) also encourages faculty to consider cost in the adoption of textbooks.”

So, read up on Education Code Section 66406 and kissing cousin Education Code Section 66406.7 (the College Textbook Transparency Act). See all that stuff these laws require? Most parties concerned are ignoring these laws.

So hey, why not ask all your new professors at your UC, CSU or community college to see how they complied with these California textbook laws.

Shouldn’t your profs comply with CA law? Shouldn’t your profs be aware of CA law? Mmmmm….

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Affordability of

College Textbooks:

Textbook Prices Have Risen Significantly in the

Last Four Years, but Some Strategies May Help to

Control These Costs for Students

August 2008 Report 2007-116