Thumbs up: A four-year degree in, well, four years

In baseball, no one wants to hit below the Mendoza line - named for a light-hitting infielder who struggled to post a batting average above .200. If higher education had its own Mendoza line, it might be the four-year graduation rate. For the 23-campus California State University system, that’s about 19 percent. Translated into baseball terms, that’s a .190 average.

But CSU administrators are stepping up to the plate with a plan aimed at raising the graduation rate to 40 percent by 2025. A draft plan on the agenda for this week’s Board of Trustees meeting includes an array of strategies, including assisting students who are close to a four-year path, ensuring that enough class sections are offered and promoting enrollment in summer and winter classes.

With the cost of a higher education scaring off some prospective students, despite the growing demand for college-educated workers, enabling students to complete their degrees in a timely manner needs to be a top priority. Thumbs up to CSU for taking a serious swing at getting above the Mendoza line.