Saddleback College should become a University as soon as practical

By Desi J. Kiss

In the 1980's the US used to be #1 in the World in Education and in the field of Science/Technology/Engineering & Math (STEM). These days we are #25 in math, and around #45-46 in the other fields. There are other considerations as well to improve education to get to the top again in order to compete well in a global economy, and therefore Saddleback Community College should become a University as soon as practical.

On 10/01/12 at the City of MV Council meeting I proposed that Saddleback College become a University as soon as possible, and I requested the City Council to endorse and strongly support my proposal. It is estimated that a University will bring approximately 1,200 new jobs to the city and tremendously add to the city's heritage and prestige.

In general, to be a university, the institution must offer undergraduate and graduate degrees with many subjects or schools within the campus system, and can include online and remote programs. So far the City Council was silent on the proposal.

With the city stating that it has 26 million dollars in reserve, the money shall be used toward the Community College to become a University as soon as practical. It is estimated that Saddleback College is attended annually by approximately 41,000 students. Established in 1968, Saddleback College awards to date 2-year associate degrees, and also offers classes that may be transfered to universities across the US. These classes must be equivalent with university classes based on an articulation agreement in order to be eligible for transfers to universities across the U.S.

Like many of our sister cities such as: Fullerton, Orange, Irvine and other, we can have in Mission Viejo both a Community College and a University. This can be placed on a 10-15 yr community development plan. It can be done very effectively and efficiently as long as bureaucracy is kept at a distance and competent people are involved. The basic infrastructure is already in place, with some empty structures in the City, that can be purchased now inexpensively. Please keep in mind that information technology changes rapidly and it will go all electronic and wireless. Chapman University made the move early and purchased 20M worth of infrastructure in Irvine (just guess why?) to place a new Health Services Campus. While MV is sleeping at the switch, others have the vision and business common sense in the field of progress and education. It is time to invest in education and in our children's future now!