Lake Tahoe Community College not chosen as part of four-year degree pilot program

Lake Tahoe Community College was one of 36 community colleges in California to apply for a chance to offer baccalaureate degrees, just as 20 other states currently offer. The 15 colleges that will be part of the inaugural program were announced Tuesday, and LTCC was not among them.

"The Board, faculty, staff, students, and administration are disappointed, although remain supportive of the California Community College Baccalaureate Pilot," said LTCC President Kindred Murillo. "LTCC will continue our efforts to bring undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the university center model."

During the Measure F campaign in 2014, Murillo said the college has been in contact with colleges and universities that could offer classes and degrees in South Lake Tahoe. LTCC received a $5 million donation last year to create a university center that would house this educational opportunity.

The recently approved Measure F created funds that must be spent on repairs, renovations, upgrades, technology, equipment and construction projects. The voters approved for the $55 million was not going to a four-year degree program though some of the upgrades are providing the technology, modern labs and upgraded facilities upper division coursework demands, but will still be useful for all community college classes.