Dear Friends,

Like you, I was shocked, then angry, to hear about Operation Varsity Blues, the national college admissions scandal. But there has always been a legal way for privileged families to get their children into elite universities under a different set of rules outside the normal process. We raise our kids to believe that if they work hard, opportunities will be available to them. But that's not entirely true. There's a side door for people with means, giving them advantages over more deserving students.

As a result, my Assembly colleagues and I introduced a package of proposals aimed at bringing more fairness and equity to the college admissions process. My bill, AB 697, would ban preferential admissions treatment for students related to a college's donors or alumni, if that institution participates in the Cal Grant program. It's simple. Preferential treatment must stop. Taxpayer funds shouldn't be used to support California schools that use a different admissions process for well-connected families.

The other reform proposals include: prohibiting any "special admission by exception," which is used to recruit athletes or gifted students, unless at least three administrators approve it; and requiring college admissions consultants to register with the state for better oversight of the industry.

Got thoughts on AB 697 or any of my other proposals? Please come to a Joint Town Hall Meeting I'm hosting with Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember David Chiu. We're ready to discuss the 2019 Legislative session and upcoming state budget.

Saturday, April 6
11:00 am - 12:30 pm

UC Hastings School of Law, Louis B. Mayer Room
198 McAllister Street, First Floor
San Francisco

You can RSVP here. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Phil Ting
Assemblymember, 19th District