WHEREAS, Approximately 46% of California community college students are experiencing prolonged food insecurity [1];  

WHEREAS, Their capacity to learn is limited by hunger where they are unable to focus and attend class, potentially inhibiting their potential for success in transferring or graduating [2];  

WHEREAS, Some students experiencing food insecurity feel inhibited by stigma or shame in applying for food assistance programs such as CalFresh that would help meet their nutrition needs [3]; and

WHEREAS, Students across the California Community Colleges rely on critical digital systems including registration platforms, financial aid portals, degree audits, and student records for time-sensitive academic actions that directly affect enrollment, persistence, and transfer outcomes; and studies conducted for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office confirm that digital platforms are now a dominant mode through which students access institutional services and coursework [1]; 

WHEREAS, California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 55500(a)[1] recognizes student success in the California Community Colleges as a shared responsibility of both the institution and the student, supported by well-coordinated, evidence-based student and instructional services designed to foster academic success;

WHEREAS, Approximately there are 2,677,000 students in higher education in California, and some reports show that roughly 70,000-100,000 of them are undocumented students with some statistics pinning down the number to 102,938 in reports from June 2025 [1]; however, only 38,595 of these students are eligible for DACA while the remaining 64,343 face financial barriers to pursue their education;

WHEREAS, Approximately 82,000 or 4% of the California Community College student population is reported to have a disability, with the total population of students with disabilities nearly increasing by 9% around the 2022-2023 academic year[1];

WHEREAS, California community colleges enroll approximately 2,100,000 students statewide[1], while documented counselor to student ratios range from 1:800 to approximately 1:1,800 [2], depending on district staffing levels and fiscal constraints, resulting in limited appointment access for educational planning, transfer preparation, and long-term student guidance;

WHEREAS, Many California Community College (CCC) campuses and districts mainly focus on increasing the statistics of students who complete their associate's degree and transfer to a 4-year university within a 2-year timeframe [1] and minimize their priority on other student educational goals such as completing certificates, discovering a major, continuing education, or going to college for personal development;

WHEREAS, Under the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I), Merritt College was allocated $1,497,284, with no less than 50% ($748,642) required to be distributed as direct Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, and the college reported disbursing $448,533 to students during the initial phase of the pandemic [1];

WHEREAS, The California College Student Emergency Support Fund demonstrated the effectiveness of $500 emergency micro‑grants in supporting California community college students experiencing housing, food, and technology crises [2];

WHEREAS, Public safety for students is a rising issue at community colleges, [1];

WHEREAS, Having a mobile app will educate students on resources available in an emergency situation including earthquake, shooting, and simply feeling unsafe [2]; and

WHEREAS, Campus police can be easily notified of the situation and the location it takes place, and students discretely contact police if the student feels uncomfortable or needs assistance in a stressful situation [3]; Now, therefore be it

WHEREAS, AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021)[1] established the requirement for every California Community College to maintain a Basic Needs Center and Basic Needs Coordinator, supported by $30 million in ongoing funding and $100 million in one-time funding over three years from the 2021-2022 Basic Needs Services Support Allocation [2][9];