| February
13, 2003 CSUS
and Placer Ranch plan campus in Placer County
 Developer
and education philanthropist Eli Broad and California State University, Sacramento
announced today that they are in negotiations for a gift of more than 250 acres
of land for a CSUS Placer campus in the Broad-owned development of Placer Ranch
in south Placer County.
The campus would offer new educational opportunities
to residents of the fast-growing Capital Region, which has just two major universities.
And it would allow CSUS to continue serving the area's qualified students as its
main campus reaches enrollment capacity of about 35,000 over the next five to
seven years. The University currently enrolls 28,500 students.
"This
region is growing rapidly. The current Sac State site is rapidly reaching capacity.
To continue to provide access and service the people of the entire region, we
need to develop more educational opportunities such as this will allow,"
said CSUS President Donald R. Gerth.
The CSU Board of Trustees will consider
a resolution in support of the gift and Placer campus concept at its March meeting.
As
envisioned, the CSUS Placer campus would offer undergraduate and graduate programs
in a number of fields related to the Capital Region's growing employment needs.
The campus would serve upper division students who transfer from a community college
as well as graduate students.
Initial academic programs would likely include
information technology, communications, computer science, computer engineering
and education. Professional development programs offered through the CSUS College
of Continuing Education might also be offered.
Discussions between representatives
of Placer Ranch and CSUS have been
underway for about six months. Final talks could be completed as early as the
end of this year, and CSUS hopes to offer classes by fall 2006.
"I
am pleased that CSUS is contemplating a new campus at Placer Ranch," said
Eli Broad. "As strong supporters of higher education - especially institutions
of such high standing as CSUS - we plan to donate the land to the University.
Placer County's high tech industry and its rapid population growth call for an
important institute of higher learning."
Placer Ranch is a proposed
development of 2,200 acres in the Sunset Industrial District of South Placer County.
It is in district 2, which is represented by Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt.
"The
prospect of a CSUS campus in South Placer is quite exciting and potentially very
innovative," Weygandt said. "Beginning more than a year ago, the Board
of Supervisors commissioned two studies to obtain a clearer understanding of what
a university could mean for our community. This proposal provides an excellent
opportunity to optimize the vision identified in that research. Working together
to craft the proper mission, we can provide quality educational opportunities
for our citizens, well-trained, well-educated employees for our businesses and
add a totally new and very positive dimension to Placer County. It will be very
exciting to continue to explore this proposal."
In a 2002 survey by
Placer County, residents said a higher education facility in the area was important
for their children, for gaining skills they need in their careers and for attracting
high-caliber employers.
Branch campuses have become an important way that
the 23-campus CSU system serves California's growing population. There are such
campuses in Stockton, Concord, Palm Desert, Irvine and Imperial Valley.
The
proposed site is located near the juncture of Fiddyment Road and Sunset Blvd.
West in South Place County.
Media assistance is available by contacting
CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156 or Douglas Elmets of Placer Ranch at (916)
329-9180.
#### |
