The California State University must have the ability to offer students an Education Doctorate. This is a new idea developed by CSU Chancellor Charles Reed and the Board of Trustees. This idea has gained statewide support from members of the Legislature and Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. However, some political forces are trying to block any attempt by the CSU from making this idea happen.

Actually, the CSU already offers doctorates ? jointly with the University of California. According to the CSU Chancellor?s Office, from July 1998 to June of 2000 the UC and CSU awarded 21 joint doctorates in education. It is obvious that students are depending upon the independent and private colleges for a doctorate of education. The Ed.D. programs at these types of institutions are very expensive and, consequently, are exclusive. Fewer than 30 percent of all doctorates awarded in this state are to people of color.

The CSU will provide an affordable high quality Ed.D. Program for students of California. The CSU is a teaching institution that already offers a wide range of educational opportunities in the field of teacher preparation. The curriculum is flexible meeting the needs of our diverse state. The CSU prepares over half of all kindergarten through twelfth grade administrators and over 60 percent of California?s teacher workforce. It is obvious that the CSU should provide an Ed.D.

Today, the UC is a key player in the effort to block any attempt to give the CSU its own doctoral program in education. In 1959, the UC and the CSU were at an impasse in developing a plan for higher education in California. In his office, UC President Clark Kerr offered a deal to the CSU in a last minute attempt to finalize a master plan for higher education. That offer would eventually be looked at as one of the most important arrangements that led to the establishment of our formal system of Community Colleges, State Universities and Universities in this state. The offer that was proposed by UC President Kerr was for the UC to offer joint doctorates with the CSU. The representatives of the CSU accepted the offer. Today, the CSU continues to offer joint doctorates with the UC.

The field of education has always been a specialty of the CSU and not the UC. The UC should return a favor by supporting the CSU?s effort to offer an Ed.D.

Shaun Lumachi served as chair of the California State Students Association through the Fall 2000 and Spring 2001 semesters and is a government major.