California State Assemblywoman Shirley Weber wants a university in Chula Vista. Weber sits on the Assembly’s committee on higher education and she said in an interview that the need is there.
“In San Diego County we have three state institutions. That’s not enough for the third largest county, second largest city in the state,” Weber said.
Weber was in Chula Vista last week talking with city council members about the possibility of putting a combination California State University-University of California extensions campus there. Her idea is to start with a small satellite campus and hope it grows into a full university.
“Look at the current curriculum we have and put some of it in Chula Vista. Begin to expand on it and develop programs around it. So that eventually it evolves on its own in terms out of the student interest,” Weber said. “After that it should evolve to the extent that it becomes a campus.”
Chula Vista has been trying to get a university built since 1993. In May 2012, the city acquired 375 acres for its University Park and Research Center site in the Otay Lakes area.
Excited about the land deal, Mayor Cheryl Cox said in 2012, “We’re on our way, with the completion of the land acquisition, discussions with established universities and colleges can shift into high gear.” However, Cox will be out of office this fall.
Now Assemblywoman Weber is jumping on the bandwagon. Weber said Chula Vista remains very enthusiastic.
“They’ve put a lot of emotions into this process. They’ve been acquiring land, they haven’t acquired much else but land,” she said.
Weber said she is hoping the building process will start in a year or two.
