- Chris Jonsmyr
- Communications Director
- (619) 498-8580
- Chris.Jonsmyr@asm.ca.gov
Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) announced that Assembly Bill 662 – The Chula Vista University Act – passed out of the State Senate with bi-partisan support yesterday. AB 662 establishes the South County Higher Education Task Force—a collaborative body that will bring together the University of California, California State University, CA Community Colleges, the City of Chula Vista, Sweetwater Union High School District and other stakeholders to evaluate the governance models, funding mechanisms, and statutory changes required to create a university.
“AB 662 is the next necessary step to establish a university in South San Diego County,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “For too long, the lack of a local four-year public university has held our students and economy back. South Bay families shouldn’t have to send their kids to another country or state for this opportunity. This bill lays the groundwork for a new higher education hub in Chula Vista by bringing together those that will make a university a reality—
San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, Southwestern College and Sweetwater Unified School District.”
Chula Vista is the second-largest city in San Diego County, with a population exceeding 250,000, and the largest city in California without a public university offering baccalaureate degree programs. Nearly 600,000 residents in South County are without this access, an area that is commonly referred to as a “college desert.”
To address this disparity, the City of Chula Vista has taken proactive steps by initiating the development of a University Innovation District on over 383 acres of city-owned land. This ambitious project envisions a bi-national, multi-institutional hub for higher education and innovation that includes collaboration with the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges (CCC) systems. The goal is to streamline educational pathways and align programs with regional workforce needs.
"The City of Chula Vista is grateful to Assemblymember Alvarez for championing this important legislation that brings us closer to realizing a university in our community," said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. "With the passage of AB 662, we look forward to working with our state, regional, and educational partners to make the University Innovation District a reality on 383 acres of City-owned land—expanding access to higher education, creating local opportunities, and strengthening South County’s future."
The South County Higher Education Task Force will be responsible for:
- Evaluating cross-sector collaboration and governance frameworks;
- Identifying new and existing funding sources for construction and operations;
- Recommending legislative solutions to remove barriers to institutional innovation; and
- Submitting a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by July 1, 2027.
“Southwestern College welcomes the advancement of AB 662 to the Governor’s Desk under the leadership of Senator Steve Padilla and the authorship of Assemblymember David Alvarez,” said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President of Southwestern Community College District. “This bill represents a vital step in expanding higher education access in our region. Our partnership in this effort reflects our shared commitment to investing in our local talent pool by creating educational and training opportunities that meet workforce needs and promote regional economic growth. We look forward to working with our legislative, city, educational, economic, and business partners to realize this vision for South San Diego.
AB 662 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration.
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The 80th Assembly District includes the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Lincoln Acres, Bonita, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro, along with the cities of Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach.