PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
City of Temecula 951.506.5100
Mayor Mike Naggar
Council Member Chuck Washington
Assistant City Manager Aaron Adams
CSUSM
Kaine Thompson 760.445.7334
Kirk Wright, Garrett Group, LLC
(951) 506-6556
Teresa Fleege, Director of Marketing
951.696.6026
California State University San Marcos Announces Temecula Off-Campus Center
(Temecula, CA: Tuesday, May 27, 2008) Dr. Karen Haynes, President of California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), announced today plans to open up an off-campus center located at 27455 Tierra Alta Way (corner of Tierra Alta and Rio Nedo) in Temecula. CSUSM will occupy 15,000 square feet on the second floor of the facility. The facility will be named:
CSUSM
Cal State San Marcos at Temecula
At the Paul Goldring Garrett Institute for Higher Learning
Over the last year, the City of Temecula has been working with CSUSM to establish a permanent presence in Temecula. After researching the area, university officials saw the opportunity to open an off-campus center based on several factors including the demographics of the region, existing biotech/medical industry, expansions of several local hospitals and the planned Temecula Hospital and Medical Center which will begin construction Spring 2009.
With an educated workforce residing in Temecula and an enviable high school graduation rate of 95.6%, the City understands the value placed on higher education opportunities. The Temecula City Council continues to be actively engaged in attracting higher education institutions to the area. “We are excited to see CSUSM join our community. Providing higher education opportunities for our residents is important to the Temecula City Council and we recognize the many economic benefits it brings to our area,” said Mayor Naggar, a member of the Council’s Higher Education Subcommittee.
CSUSM classes will begin in August 2008. The university's curriculum offered will include nursing, career and professional development programs, and other personal enrichment coursework. CSUSM indicated that their Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program currently has 53 students enrolled and has a waiting list. “We are delighted to see such a strong interest in the nursing program and we are happy to fill that need,” said Haynes. “We are aware that over 13% of students coming to the San Marcos campus come from the Temecula Valley and we are pleased to serve some of those students with this off-campus center.”
The City of Temecula is in the process of establishing a 501c(3) non-profit “Higher Education Foundation.” The Foundation’s primary focus will be capital fund raising for supporting higher education. “This foundation will become the mechanism to serve the needs of CSUSM both now and 20 years from now. We will need to remember this as a defining moment in our history as we have every bit of optimism we are laying the groundwork for the creation of a major college presence in Temecula,” stated Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar.
Mr. Paul Goldring Garrett will provide the first contribution to the Foundation by donating a $250,000 grant in support of the immediate opportunity to locate and commence operations in the city. Paul Garrett, Founder and Chairman of The Garrett Group LLC and BetterWorld Together Foundation, said, “It has always been a dream of mine to see a four year university come to this valley, and we are pleased that CSUSM is that University.” Paul Garrett added, “CSUSM offers an excellent opportunity for this valley’s residents to begin their higher learning process, indeed their future careers, in this community. We are very pleased the City and CSUSM allowed us to assist in leading the first steps of this major, long lasting educational partnership. Our foundation is dedicated to excellence in education and I am very pleased to be a part of this local effort.”
A lease agreement is being negotiated between CSUSM and The Garrett Group which will allow CSUSM to consider various options for its future expansion.
Paul Garrett and his team will be working within the City's Higher Education Foundation to bring in other business donations to help out with the tenant improvements as well as furniture and equipment needs. The Foundation will continue its efforts to raise additional funds through the Foundation as well as continue to find a permanent location for CSUSM.
Universal Health Systems (UHS) and Southwest Healthcare System are looking forward to building a strong long-term relationship with Cal State University San Marcos and the nursing program. “We are pleased that we will be able to provide our hospitals Rancho Springs and Inland Valley as local clinical training centers for the nursing students” stated Dennis Knox, CEO/Managing Director, Southwest Healthcare System.
The City of Temecula welcomes California State University San Marcos and is pleased to have them as a key higher education partner in our community. “Additional higher education offerings will allow Temecula to maintain its quality of life and allow the city’s neighborhoods and businesses to continue to draw high-paid, well-educated residents and employees,” said Council Member Washington a member of the City’s Higher Education Subcommittee.
California State University San Marcos is a new kind of CSU that is continually building a reputation for rigorous, high-quality programs. Students from a broad range of life experiences interact closely with leading academic scholars. Faculty design programs that help students develop critical skills for success as they pursue careers and further their education in a technologically dynamic, global environment. The university, through its programs, its faculty and its students, is an active partner in the vitality of the region.
If you or your company are interested in learning more about the Higher Education Foundation or would like to learn how you may contribute to this effort, please contact Aaron Adams, Assistant City Manager at 951.506.5100.
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