Resolutions

The Governor established an Intersegmental Working Group on Student Basic Needs to address this issue:
 Intersegmental Working Group on Student Basic Needs Working Group Recommendations and Resources (PDF)

The SSCCC Board of Directors appointed a student representative to serve on this group and formally adopted the working group’s definition of basic needs in October 2021.

The SSCCC supports the intent of this resolution to strengthen institutional accountability in advancing equity across the California Community College system. We will advocate for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to explore avenues—such as statutory change, amendments to Title 5, or other binding system-wide regulations, that would require every community college to develop a Student Equity Plan with meaningful analysis and action steps to support equity for all demographic groups identified in Education Code §78220.

Additionally, the SSCCC supports the inclusion of intersectional data, where feasible, to ensure that equity planning addresses the unique experiences of students with multiple marginalized identities. We remain committed to elevating this issue through legislative, regulatory, and policy channels to promote long-term structural change in support of student equity.

The SSCCC remains deeply committed to advancing disability inclusion and equity throughout the California Community College system, including the development of high-quality programs that serve students with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we have already met with Assemblymember Addis’ office to discuss the experiences of students supported by Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS). We will continue these important conversations in the fall.

While the SSCCC was unable to formally advance this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing priorities, we are actively exploring opportunities to incorporate its goals into our ongoing advocacy and programming efforts.

The SSCCC strongly supports this resolution and affirms the importance of ensuring that students have a meaningful role in shaping and impacting the curriculum they are taught. As part of this commitment, the SSCCC will work collaboratively with the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) to explore appropriate mechanisms for strengthening student representation in curriculum development processes.

In addition, we will seek recognition of student voices as a matter of “reasonable consideration” under Title 5 §51023.7, ensuring that students are not only present but actively empowered in curriculum decision-making processes that directly impact their educational experience.

No action is required at this time, as the legislation was not included in the 2024–25 legislative cycle. The SSCCC provided public comment during the legislative oversight hearing on the 50% law held this term. We will continue to monitor developments related to the 50% law and remain committed to advocating for the concerns outlined in the resolution.

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. 

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. 

In response to this resolution, the SSCCC is pleased to report that a comprehensive Pronoun Inclusivity Toolkit has been developed and is now available to support student leaders and campus advocates. This toolkit includes resources aligned with the resolution’s goals, such as:

• Guidance for advocating increased visibility and accessibility of gender-neutral restrooms, particularly in high-traffic campus areas, along with recommendations for inclusive signage and campus directory updates.
• Information on promoting the use of pronouns, including advocacy strategies for allowing students, faculty, staff, and administrators to display their pronouns on college websites, class rosters, transcripts, and ID cards.
• A sample advocacy letter and language recommendations for encouraging colleges to replace “chosen/preferred name” with “updated name” to promote accuracy and inclusivity.
• Resources to support annual professional development opportunities focused on gender diversity for faculty, staff, and administrators.

We encourage student leaders to utilize the toolkit in collaboration with their Student Body Associations and campus partners to advance gender equity and foster more inclusive campus environments across the California Community College system.

While the SSCCC strongly supports efforts to advance equity, representation, and inclusion within the California Community College system, we are unable to take on this resolution at this time due to limited capacity and the scope of the work required. The resolution calls for deep structural and curricular changes that would necessitate long-term collaboration with multiple system stakeholders, including faculty, local districts, and statewide governance groups. Given our current priorities and strategic focus, we are not positioned to lead this work during the current cycle. However, we encourage ongoing dialogue and remain open to supporting aligned efforts in the future as capacity allows.

The SSCCC is working with the Chancellor’s Office and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to reduce cost to zero-cost textbooks.  More information about accomplishments in this area can be found on this document.  

Per SSCCC Attorney, this resolution is out of order and void since it contradicts the bylaws and takes away the delegates rights to determine boundaries. 

The SSCCC acknowledges and supports the goals of this resolution to make community college more affordable and accessible. California has already implemented several key policies aligned with this resolution, including the California College Promise Program, which provides tuition-free community college for eligible students. These state-level efforts currently fulfill many of the objectives outlined in the federal American College Promise Act.

While much of this work is already being accomplished at the state level, the SSCCC will consider opportunities for federal advocacy, particularly in encouraging California’s U.S. Senators and congressional representatives to support legislation such as H.R. 5998 and S. 3086.

We also encourage our constituent colleges and student body associations to review and, if aligned with their local priorities, advocate in parallel for federal support of free community college initiatives. Should the American College Promise Act become law, the SSCCC will advocate to ensure that California qualifies for and benefits from the grant opportunities it provides.

The SSCCC supports the intent of this resolution to ensure equitable compensation and benefits for student trustees across all California Community College districts. As a next step, the SSCCC will begin researching current compensation practices for student trustees statewide to better understand the disparities that exist and identify models of best practice. This research will inform future advocacy efforts aimed at establishing consistent standards that recognize student trustees as essential public servants entitled to fair remuneration and support, not as recipients of discretionary privileges. Further updates and opportunities for engagement will be shared as this work progresses.  

The SSCCC did not formally address this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing priorities. However, we recognize the critical importance of monitoring and responding to nonresident fee increases, especially as they disproportionately impact vulnerable student populations.

Looking ahead, the SSCCC can support the intent of this resolution by:

• Collaborating with regional leaders to establish a process for collecting and monitoring proposed nonresident fees across community college districts, using the guidelines outlined in Education Code §76140.
• Empowering delegates and student trustees to identify the lowest possible nonresident fee among contiguous districts and advocate for its adoption under Option C of the Education Code.
• Developing a shared communication strategy with student body associations to ensure that fee changes are promptly communicated to affected students.
• Centering nonresident student voices in regional discussions and exploring region-led campaigns or toolkits that support advocacy around equitable fee policies.

As SSCCC continues to expand its capacity, we remain committed to advancing student-centered policies and will consider building this advocacy into future regional training and legislative engagement.

With the addition of a Tribal Liaison on our staff, the SSCCC is deepening its commitment to supporting Native American and Indigenous students across California Community Colleges. While this resolution was not formally advanced during the current cycle due to limited capacity, we fully support its goals and recognize the importance of protecting Native cultural heritage and honoring tribal sovereignty.

We encourage all California community college districts to hire a Tribal or community liaison to serve on their Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Committees, and we advocate for the contracting of qualified NAGPRA Specialists to ensure that campuses uphold their responsibilities under federal law. The SSCCC looks forward to working alongside Native communities, students, and institutional partners to advance advocacy focused on cultural preservation, repatriation, and justice.

The SSCCC deeply respects and honors the experiences of Native American and Indigenous students across the California Community College system. While this resolution was not formally advanced during the current cycle due to limited capacity, the SSCCC remains committed to elevating Native and Indigenous issues as a statewide student advocacy priority. With the recent addition of a Tribal Liaison position, we are committed to more intentionally centering Native American voices and perspectives within our work.

As part of this commitment, the SSCCC supports efforts to recognize Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5th, to encourage campus-wide engagement through events such as informational sessions and peacemaking circles, and to advocate for the hiring of Native American and Indigenous faculty who can serve as culturally competent Title IX and Title V advocates for students experiencing sexual violence and discrimination. We look forward to working in partnership with Native and Indigenous communities to further this important work.

The SSCCC recognizes the importance of strengthening financial transparency and accountability at the regional level. While this resolution was not implemented during the current cycle, it has been identified as a priority for the 2025–26 year.

In the upcoming cycle, the SSCCC will explore changes to its policies to ensure that:

• All region-hosted events or fundraisers include a detailed, venue-specific expense proposal submitted for approval by the Region Delegates Assembly at least one month prior to the event;
• All regional expenses are reviewed and approved by the Delegates Assembly before being incurred; and
• A financial impact report is submitted to the Delegates Assembly within 30 days following the event by the Treasurer or, in their absence, the Regional Affairs Director.

These changes will help promote consistency, financial stewardship, and transparency across all regions.

All California Community Colleges are required to designate a Dream Resource Liaison, and a directory of these liaisons is available on the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office website. As part of its 2024–25 advocacy efforts, the SSCCC also supported a $15 million budget request to expand funding for Dream Resource Centers and Liaisons across the system.

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. However, we recognize the importance of the issues raised and are committed to working in partnership with the Student Parent Caucus to explore opportunities for future advocacy and action.

As part of this commitment, the SSCCC will consider developing a Parent Student Advocacy Toolkit to support local and statewide efforts. Potential components of the toolkit may include:

• Regional flyers listing local resources such as childcare centers, food pantries, and other support services
• Email templates for reaching out to child care providers regarding voucher programs
• Templates for contacting campus basic needs centers to inquire about additional grants or resources for single-parent students
• A summary of current and past advocacy efforts related to parenting students, including relevant legislation
• A story collection component to highlight lived experiences of single student parents
• A draft resolution template that Student Body Associations (SBAs) can adapt and share with campus stakeholders
• Research and data on parenting students in higher education to support local advocacy

This toolkit aims to equip student leaders with practical tools and information to support parenting students and advance equity across the California Community College system.

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities.