Supremacy Clauses

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Spring 2020
Committee:
Regional Affairs Committee
WHEREAS, a supremacy clause, defined as a clause usually found within a student government bylaws and/or constitution that overtakes any and all authority given to the student representatives at the whim of the college administration;

WHEREAS, in the case of Ohlone College, the supremacy clause previously known as “Article 6” of the Associated Students of Ohlone College Constitution allowed the student government to be banned from campus, have their budget frozen, and their voice as the student representatives of Ohlone College silenced;

WHEREAS, over 10% of California Community Colleges have supremacy clauses within their governing documents and supremacy clauses allow outside influence to corrupt and influence the student’s voice; these clauses also discourage students from pursuing leadership position by their very nature [1]; and

WHEREAS, after witnessing how Ohlone’s supremacy clause was used to silence the student’s voice, other California Community Colleges who have supremacy clauses may be in danger of having their students silenced; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the abolishment of supremacy clauses in the governing documents of student body associations within the California Community College system.

Citation 1: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xvsSmMN3r8wr-dEQmIA7O1QRXNlxjdgnI06CQ5jqYs/edit#gid=0
Status:

Completed. The SSCCC does not have the authority to implement or amend campus-specific student government policies or governing documents. However, we recognize the serious concerns raised by the presence of supremacy clauses that may undermine the autonomy and voice of student body associations.

In alignment with our commitment to protecting student representation and shared governance, the SSCCC has elevated awareness of this issue through statewide discussions and leadership trainings. We encourage local student leaders to review their governing documents and advocate for the removal of clauses that restrict their independence or subject their authority to undue administrative control.

While we cannot mandate changes at the campus level, we will continue to support student-led efforts to uphold democratic governance structures and ensure that student voices remain central to institutional decision-making.