SR-01-13-2015-3MCity Council Meeting: January 13, 2015
Agenda Item::
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rod Gould, City Manager
Subject: Resolution Supporting Santa Monica College's proposal to offer a
Bachelor's Degree in Interaction Design
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution supporting
Santa Monica College's (SMC) proposal to the State Chancellor to offer a Bachelor's
Degree in Interaction Design.
Executive Summary
Earlier this year the Governor signed legislation that enables, for the first time, a limited
number of California Community colleges to offer four -year degrees. Santa Monica
College has submitted a proposal to offer a Bachelor's Degree in Interaction Design,
also referred to as "User Experience Design," in direct response to the needs of Los
Angeles's tech industry. Only two private universities in California offer a bachelor's
level degree in this new field of interaction design. If approved by the California
Community College's Board of Governors, a student could earn a degree at SMC at a
cost of just over $10,000 for the entire program.
Background
On September 28, 2014 Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a historic measure that
for the first time enables a limited number of California community colleges to offer four-
year degrees.
Senate Bill (SB) 850, authored by State Senator Marty Block (D -San Diego), addresses
a growing need for the state to become more competitive in areas of high workforce
demand. The law was enacted to assist the state in meeting the need for individuals in
high demand technical disciplines which are increasingly requiring baccalaureate
degrees and to increase college participation rates and improve workforce training
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opportunities for local residents who are unable to relocate because of family or work
commitments.
The pilot program authorized under SIB 850 allows up to 15 different community college
districts to offer one baccalaureate degree in fields such as technology, health and
science. California now joins 21 other states that allow community colleges to offer four -
year degrees.
SB 850 stipulates that the four -year programs offered may not duplicate any currently
available at the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU).
Community college districts interested in offering baccalaureate programs were required
to submit proposals to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. Selected
programs will be accredited by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior
Colleges (ACCJC).
Discussion
Santa Monica College has submitted a proposal to offer a Bachelor's Degree in
Interaction Design, to the office of Brice W. Harris, Chancellor of the California
Community Colleges
SMC's proposal for a Baccalaureate degree in Interaction Design, also referred to as
"User Experience Design," comes in direct response to the needs of Los Angeles's tech
industry — especially that of Silicon Beach, in the city's Westside region. Silicon Beach is
home to over 500 tech start -ups and also includes major companies such as Google,
Yahoo, and EdgeCast Networks. SMC is located right in the heart of Silicon Beach.
There are thousands of jobs available in this emerging and rapidly evolving field in LA
County alone for individuals with an "interaction design" skills set, focused on how to
balance functionality and aesthetics into something that works for the end user in the
digital world.
FA
Only two private universities in California — Art Center College of Design and California
College of the Arts — offer a bachelor's level degree in this new field of interaction
design. The programs at these two universities cost around $40,000 per year. If
approved by the California Community College's Board of Governors, a student could
earn a degree at SMC at a cost of just over $10,000 for the entire program.
SMC has robust certificate programs in both graphic and web design with a large
number of students enrolled in the lower division core courses of the proposed degree.
The college has the facilities and resources needed to offer this degree — including the
Academy of Entertainment and Technology — highly qualified faculty with industry
expertise and strong involvement from the local tech industry. SMC is the only Southern
California community college district to propose a degree in the area of Information
Technology.
Under the law the four -year degree programs must be up and running by at least the
2017 -18 academic year, however districts may start their programs by the fall 2015
semester. The legislation sunsets after the 2022 -23 school year, after which the
Legislature and governor may renew it pending two Legislative Analyst's Office reviews
of the pilot program- one in 2018 and another in 2022.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared by: Danielle Noble, Deputy City Manager
Approved:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachments: Resolution
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Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Resolution No. 10855
(CCS)