Spring 2024
WHEREAS, Student leaders are overburdened, underappreciated, and, sometimes, taking on work similar to that of a professional workplace [1] and these student leaders often face immense pressure to excel academically while simultaneously navigating the complexities as a student leader without gaining the recognition they deserve;
WHEREAS, Eighty percent of community college students work at least a part-time job and 39% work a full-time job [2] which takes their time away from their campuses, and stipends for student leaders would increase their ability to engage on campus through avenues such as, but not limited to participatory shared governance;
WHEREAS, Pursuing policies that improve student access and success while engaging and empowering local student leaders, as well as honoring equity and diversity is the central point for California community colleges and its student leaders [3]; and
WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges has passed a student stipend resolution in 2007 [4] but has still not achieved system-wide student stipends and recognitions or developed any guidance for student leaders; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges research, create, and distribute a toolkit for student leaders across the state to use as a guide to implement stipends on their campuses, including a solution for where stipend funding can come from;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges create a publicly accessible document outlining how various colleges are compensating their students whether that be scholarships or checks; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges develop and distribute guidance on how students and colleges can obtain transcript notations as recognition for their hard work and dedication to their campus.
WHEREAS, Eighty percent of community college students work at least a part-time job and 39% work a full-time job [2] which takes their time away from their campuses, and stipends for student leaders would increase their ability to engage on campus through avenues such as, but not limited to participatory shared governance;
WHEREAS, Pursuing policies that improve student access and success while engaging and empowering local student leaders, as well as honoring equity and diversity is the central point for California community colleges and its student leaders [3]; and
WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges has passed a student stipend resolution in 2007 [4] but has still not achieved system-wide student stipends and recognitions or developed any guidance for student leaders; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges research, create, and distribute a toolkit for student leaders across the state to use as a guide to implement stipends on their campuses, including a solution for where stipend funding can come from;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges create a publicly accessible document outlining how various colleges are compensating their students whether that be scholarships or checks; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges develop and distribute guidance on how students and colleges can obtain transcript notations as recognition for their hard work and dedication to their campus.
Status:
SSCCC staff surveyed stipend practices across California community colleges, building on existing information to support the development of a Student Body Association (SBA) Stipend Toolkit. Unfortunately, only about 30 colleges responded, limiting the usefulness of the data. In the 2025–26 academic year, staff will continue outreach efforts to secure responses from at least 75% of the 116 colleges.
Once more comprehensive data is collected, the toolkit will include:
- Talking points highlighting the importance of providing stipends to student leaders;
- Letter templates to administrators featuring comparative data from other colleges; and
- A copy of the Chancellor’s Office legal opinion regarding the use of Student Representation Fees (SRF) for stipends.
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to support this important advocacy initiative.