Since 1986, Chula Vista has envisioned a state-of-the-art university to serve its students in the South Bay. Chula Vista, or “beautiful view” sits on one of the most beautiful areas in the county of San Diego—between the San Diego Bay and our vast mountain foothills. Our community has steadily grown, increasing to nearly 300,000 residents mostly due to the expansion to the east. Our city boasts an innovative transit system, thriving businesses and restaurants, and a rich cultural history.
In the mid-1980s, our city leaders committed to this vision by designating 150 acres in the Otay Lakes area to attract California’s next top university. Since then, this commitment has only grown and this designation has expanded to 375 acres, all of which can easily accommodate a major four-year institution. Our vision is to create a University and Innovation District that will integrate education with commercial, retail, and residential functions in an urban, mixed-use setting. Many efforts, including state legislation, have been made throughout the years. With the recent approval of the Chula Vista University Innovation District Master Plan, we have a unique opportunity to finally make this educational dream a reality.
Last year, an assemblymember wisely pointed out that in the past 30 years, the state of California has built more than 20 prisons but only four universities. Education must be California’s first priority. A recent report released by the Legislative Analyst Office showed a notable increase in high school graduates enrolling at California State Universities. In 2015, CSUs admitted 14 percent of freshmen applicants, compared to 10 percent in 2000. Projections show high school graduates will grow by 2025, with University of California enrolling 11,000 additional students and CSU enrolling more than 15,000.
Locally, the four-year universities in San Diego are maxed out, and application numbers are higher than ever. SDSU set a record this year with 94,142 undergraduate applications received for fall 2019 and, based on 2017 admissions data collected by US News & World Report, SDSU and UC San Diego are both listed in the top 10 colleges with the most applicants. As our institutions continue to fill to the brim with capacity, additional location options must be explored.
Close to 500,000 people reside in the South Bay, yet it is a geographical area without a four-year institution. Today, two-thirds of high school students graduating in the South Bay attend local community colleges and choose to stay in San Diego. Southwestern College alone has a whopping 19,500 students working on their Associate of Arts degree. A major factor causing this high enrollment number are rising housing costs. With the average monthly rent in San Diego of close to $2,000 per month and growing, Chula Vista provides people with similar standard of living at a much more affordable price. Aside from affordability, we cannot underestimate (or understate) the uniqueness of Chula Vista’s geographical positioning and cultural demographics. A university in the South Bay would provide a truly multicultural experience by attracting both domestic and international students due to its close proximity to the Mexican border. A binational university can offer dual degrees and programs, putting graduating students at an advantage in the cross-border market, which now yields over $26 billion annually.
Our local city leaders are fully committed to attracting a university, but a full investment is needed from all levels of government to come up with a plan of action. That is why last week, Asm. Shirley Weber and I made an official request to the state budget chairs of both houses of the State Legislature to invest $2 million toward strengthening recruiting efforts for this endeavor. An investment of this amount from the state would send a strong message to interested educational institutions that California is serious about a university in the South Bay.
We remain committed to bringing a quality, major university to one of the most beautiful, diverse and emerging cities in San Diego.
Hueso is a California state senator. Casillas Salas is the mayor of Chula Vista.
The university needs to be on the bayfront. The public transportation infrastructure is already there. An open campus can provide a parklike atmosphere in addition to the open space we can preserve. There are opportunities to partner with the living coast discovery center. An influx of young adults will help businesses on the west side, and attract new ones. The west side is also easier to travel on bike/foot than Eastlake. Young adults will not be as judgmental at the state of the west side as compared to tourists or businessmen in town for a convention. The university will create better jobs than a hotel. A bayfront university will be more attractive than one buried in Eastlake whose easiest access is via a toll freeway.
There are so many reasons why a bayfront university would be amazing for Chula Vista. Not just economically but for its image and to help revitalize the west side.
The hotel/convention center is a poorly conceived idea. Creating a junior version of what San Diego is doing doesn’t make much sense. Why would someone come to Chula when San Diego is 15 minutes away, and is well established with a multitude of hotel, dining, and entertainment options?
This may all be in jest, but I still remain hopeful that someone finds a way to discuss this seriously. I think the Mayor is too invested in the hotel to keep an open mind, but I would be thrilled to find out I’m wrong.