Education Committee rejects California Baptist University's request to increase initial dental hygiene enrollment

The Education Committee voted to recommend that the full board not approve California Baptist University's request to increase the proposed dental hygiene program's initial enrollment to two cohorts of 24 students each. The motion to recommend approval failed at roll call.

California Baptist University (CBU) presented a request to increase initial enrollment from the previously provisionally approved cohort plan to two cohorts (24 students each), which would create a step programmatic capacity of 96 students over time. David Pearson, dean of the College of Allied Health Science, said the request was driven by financial and facility-efficiency considerations: building a larger clinic and starting cohorts each semester would better utilize capital investment and classroom/clinic space. Kelly Donovan, proposed program director, told the committee she would "do everything in my power to make sure that the safety of the student, faculty, and consumers are protected."

Board members questioned the timing and rationale. Committee member Justin Matthews, who moved approval, asked why the request emerged after an extensive feasibility study praised at the March full board meeting; he said he heard a primarily financial motivation. Dean Pearson acknowledged the financial motivation but said the administration does not view the program as a revenue source and that rising construction and operating costs have driven reassessment of cohort sizing. Board member Michael Long and others expressed concern about advancing to two initial cohorts while the program would be on a probationary period and has not yet begun operations.

Staff also flagged monitoring capacity. Anthony Lum, executive officer, told the committee that staff resources are limited for repeated site visits and follow-up in Southern California; that constraint factors into staff's hesitation to endorse an immediate increase in cohort count.

Vote and outcome Justin Matthews moved that the committee recommend approval; Michael Long seconded. Roll call votes recorded Joanne Pacheco Nay, Michael Long Nay, and Justin Matthews Nay. The motion failed. The March 2025 provisional approval and its terms remain in place; the committee did not approve the increased initial enrollment.

Next steps CBU may continue with the board's prior provisional approval terms; any future request to change cohort size will be considered with attention to compliance oversight and staff capacity for monitoring.