Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions of higher education as the 4 segments of postsecondary education in the state.

Existing federal law establishes the Office for Civil Rights within the United States Department of Education and authorizes the office to collect and coordinate the collection of data necessary to ensure compliance with civil rights laws, as provided.