MIRACOSTA COLLEGE COMMUNITY REPORTSpring 2012

MIRACOSTA COLLEGE HAS SERVED OUR REGION’S NEEDS SINCE 1934

Providing access to an affordable, high quality college education close to home that prepares local students for universities and jobs.

MIRACOSTA COLLEGE

Founded in 1934 as Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College, we were the second community college in San Diego County and currently have over 18,000 students enrolled in courses.

We are proud to have one of the highest UC transfer rates of all community colleges in San Diego County.

Students can take courses at our Oceanside & San Elijo campuses or online, with free basic skills courses offered at our Community Learning Center.

RISING COST OF COLLEGE EDUCATION The cost of attending a public university in California has risen

to as much as six times that of attending a community college. As a result, more local students are relying on MiraCosta College -- at a savings of as much as $35,000 -- on their way to a four-year degree.

MiraCosta College needs additional funds to increase opportunities for local students to earn college credits, certifications, and job skills at a reasonable price.

JOB PREPARATION IN EMERGING FIELDS Our region’s employment opportunities are

anticipated to increase by 15% over the next several years.

Implementing our Master Plan will allow us to provide additional funding to support training and education programs in emerging local fields such as:

Nursing EngineeringGerontology

Automotive Technology Health ServicesBusiness

Physical Therapy Design DraftingClean Energy

Biotechnology

TRAIN STUDENTS FOR 21ST CENTURY JOBS & CAREERS

We need to improve technology

Update outdated electrical systems, wiring & equipment for computer technology and internet access

Upgrade career and vocational classrooms, labs and equipment

Expand on-line classes for local students

IMPROVE TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

We need to expand classroom space, improve course offerings, and turn our San Elijo Campus into a transfer-focused academy.

This will give local high school graduates and returning students the opportunity to finish required courses necessary to

transfer to a Cal State University or University of California school.

EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH RELATED CAREERS

Eliminate the two-year waiting list for the nursing program and expand:

Science, health-related careers, bio-technology, nursing and technical job training programs

We must expand health care training for those who plan to take care of our aging local population

SUPPORT FOR ACTIVE MILITARY AND RETURNING VETERANS

MiraCosta College currently has almost 800 Military Veterans and more than 300 active military attending classes.

Expanding Veteran services and facilities will ensure that returning

service members receive the support they need to complete their education

and enter the civilian workforce.

RESPONSIBLE FISCAL PLANNING We are working with stakeholders, the Board of Trustees, and

the community to develop a fiscally responsible plan to address these needs.

One solution we are seriously considering is a local education funding measure this November.

Any measure will include strong fiscal accountability including:

Public Expenditure Plan Independent, Annual Audits Independent Citizens’ Oversight No money for Administrators’ salaries

HOW YOU CAN HELP Let us know your priorities! Fill out a feedback form now and hand

back in Do you belong to other organizations

that need this information? Let us know! For more information, visit

www.miracosta.edu

QUESTIONS?