Bill Text: CA AB251 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered


Bill Title: Public postsecondary education: admission by exception.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2021-07-09 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 47, Statutes of 2021. [AB251 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB251-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 251
CHAPTER 47

An act to amend Section 66022.5 of the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education.

[ Approved by Governor  July 09, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State  July 09, 2021. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 251, Choi. Public postsecondary education: admission by exception.
Existing law, commencing with admissions for the 2021–22 academic year, prohibits a campus of the California State University and, if adopted by the Regents of the University of California by appropriate resolution, the University of California, from admitting an applicant by admission by exception, as defined, unless the admission by exception has been approved, before the student’s enrollment, by at least 3 senior campus administrators, the applicant is a California resident who is receiving an institution-based scholarship to attend the campus, or the applicant is accepted by an educational opportunity program for admission to the campus.
This bill would prohibit a senior campus administrator, for purposes of this section, from being associated with campus development, external affairs, fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations, or alumni outreach.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 66022.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:

66022.5.
 (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Admission by exception” means the process by which a campus admits applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the segment, or guaranteed admission to a campus of the segment, but who demonstrate high potential for success and leadership in an academic or special talent program at the campus.
(2) “Campus” means a campus of the California State University or the University of California.
(3) “Senior campus administrator” shall not include any staff associated with campus development, external affairs, fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations, or alumni outreach.
(4) “Special talent program” refers to a campus’ program that requires additional admissions review to determine the qualification of an applicant for admission into that program. Special talent program includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a campus’ athletic or fine arts program.
(b) A campus shall not admit a student by admission by exception unless the student’s admission by exception has been approved, before the student’s enrollment, by a minimum of three senior campus administrators.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a campus may admit, by admission by exception, a California resident who is receiving an institution-based scholarship to attend the campus or an applicant who is accepted by an educational opportunity program for admission to the campus.
(d) A campus that admits a student by admission by exception shall comply with both of the following:
(1) Document its employees who were involved in the evaluation of the student’s application for admission.
(2) Establish a policy that applies articulated standards to the campus’ admissions by exception decisions. The standards shall include minimum procedural requirements and shall include an explanation for choosing the standards that supports their application as fair and appropriate.
(e) A campus that admits a student by admission by exception into an athletics program shall establish a policy requiring the student to participate in the program for a minimum of one academic year.
(f) (1) Upon request, a campus shall report to the Legislature, pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, any information that is required to be established or documented pursuant to this section.
(2) The campus shall submit information to the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (1) to the extent permitted by state and federal privacy laws, including, but not limited to, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g).
(g) This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit the University of California from adopting policies that impose additional restrictions on or requirements for admission by exception.
(h) This section shall become operative commencing with admissions for the 2021–22 academic year.

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