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Oregon’s 17 community colleges generated more than $9 billion in annual economic impact for the state in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to a report released last week by the Oregon Community College Association.

A new law allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, an option for students unable to attend a four-year institution. But California State University officials are objecting to many of those proposed programs.

As California closes three more prisons and downsizes six others, some prisoners aren’t ready to go. They are worried about the future of their education.

California’s community college system will continue processing applications for new baccalaureate degrees, even after top lawmakers requested a pause on doing so following complaints from California State University officials.

More than a year of mudslinging between the higher education systems has led to delays and anger over the issue of awarding bachelor’s degrees at community colleges. Legislators, frustrated by the lack of progress, are getting involved.

The program will include Shasta College in Redding, College of the Redwoods in Eureka, College of the Siskiyous in Weed and more than 60 others across California. It's an effort to increase the number of students who successfully transfer from those colleges.

An audit of Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission calls for more focus on community college support.

California’s community colleges aren’t on track to reach ambitious goals of closing the gaps in graduation rates between racial and ethnic groups. Its central office leaders doubt they’ll reach those goals, including new ones laid out by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Despite sinking overall enrollment, some community colleges in California are seeing more students come back. Targeted state aid is likely helping, but so is more in-person instruction.

Students returning for in-person classes at California’s publicly-owned four-year colleges and universities this fall will be required to show proof of vaccination. Most students attending community college in California won’t have the same safeguards.

Lawmakers say their budget deal with Gov. Gavin Newson will expand enrollment at public universities and create a debt-free grant. But those items aren’t getting a dollar this coming year. Instead, bill language says the money will come next year. Other major investments are in this year’s budget, though.

Oregon’s state legislature outpaced most of the country this past session when lawmakers passed a tuition waiver program for two years of community…