Students who are looking to transfer to four year universities may have a better opportunity going forward because of Senate Bill 1440.

In an article by the Contra Costa Times, community colleges are showing progress in improving their transfer rates, regarding a report by the Campaign for College Opportunity. The Campaign for College Opportunity is a nonprofit organization designed to improve access to higher education.

The report, titled “Meeting Compliance, but Missing the Mark”, was released as a progress report on the passing of Senate Bill 1440, which was created as an easier path for community college students to transfer to four year universities. The bill was passed in 2010 and aimed to shorten students’ time to transfer while also reducing the cost of degree completion.

A study by the Campaign for College Opportunity found some hopeful aspects concerning how Senate Bill 1440 has been implemented since its passing in 2010;

• System leaders at California Community Colleges and California State Colleges have
established a committee to oversee the implementation of SB 1440.

• 18 community colleges have taken the lead in implementing SB 1440, developing
between 9 and 18 new Associate Degrees for transfer.

• 49 community colleges have only developed 2-4 Associate degrees for transfer, just
meeting compliance.

• Individual California State Universities have also shown variance in the acceptance of SB
1440 transfer pathways.

The report also gave a list of all California community colleges and the number of degrees the schools offers, the highest was Fullerton College with 18. Seventeen schools were tied for the lowest with two Associated Degrees. Skyline has seven degrees offered.

A common feeling among students is that the increased transfer rates would provide a possible backup plan for students who are aiming for one school in particular. First year student Jerrald Anicete, who is majoring in Fine Arts, feels the increase in transfer rates is a good thing for students.

“I feel it is a good thing right now because if I want to get into the college that I want to go to, then
that would be good for me. I have one college set in mind right now, and then I would have to look at a school that I wouldn’t even like.”

Another aspect that students consider is the finances it takes to transfer to a four year university. Second year student Dominic Biancalana, a Liberal Studies major, understands the possible financial ramifications that come with transferring.

“It’s good that people can come to this school and take it easy and figure it out and not spend as much money on a state school,” said Biancalana. “If I would have originally enrolled at San Francisco State, then it would have been more expensive.”

While there has been progress concerning the implementation of SB 1440 and increased transfer rates, there is still work to be done. Some universities are meeting the minimum compliance by creating just two degrees. The report calls for California State Universities to “have greater accountability, share information, and adopt better practices.”