It is the intent of the Legislature:
(a)
That, pursuant to funding to be appropriated in the Budget Act of 2007, the trustees should increase, by at least 340, the number of full-time equivalent students in baccalaureate degree nursing programs, beginning in the 2007–08 fiscal year.
(b)
That the trustees provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before March 15, 2007, on the proposed expenditure plans to expand nursing programs to enroll an additional 340 full-time equivalent students as a result of the funds appropriated in the Budget Act of 2007.
(c)
To support the expansion of future baccalaureate degree nursing enrollment with annual appropriations in the State Budget Act.
(d)
That the funding for the baccalaureate degree enrollment expansions referenced in this section be funded within the general enrollment growth funding that is traditionally provided to the California State University during the annual state budget process.
(e)
To encourage the university, in providing programs under this article, to establish partnerships or collaborations with community colleges to facilitate the education of students in bachelor of the science of nursing (BSN) or entry-level master’s nursing programs.