Spring 2022
Committee:
Regional Affairs Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee
WHEREAS, the Public Policy Institute of California found that “a record-high percentage of Californians (84%) had high-speed internet at home in 2019—up from 74% in 2017. Californians use the internet for a range of activities, including financial services (70%), telecommuting (39%), job searches (21%), and online classes or job training (21%). Telehealth has also been on the rise. In 2019, more than half of households researched health issues online; 42% accessed health or insurance records; and 39% communicated with doctors. As the pandemic shifted many activities online, usage almost certainly increased” [1];
WHEREAS, in a report done by CBS8 “about 102,000 students from lower income households and 145,000 students of color lack access to the internet, the report projects and when it comes to access to a laptop or tablet, the report finds more than 109,000 low-income students and nearly 134,000 students of color may be left out” [2];
WHEREAS, the Chancellor’s Office has also leveraged the California Connects Mobile Internet program, a low-cost internet alternative available to students, faculty and staff; which during the month of April, more than 1,500 students in need were provided with California Connects mobile hotspots and internet service through Sprint [3]; and
WHEREAS, in the 2021 through 2022 term, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges identified basic needs as a legislative priority, but as we have seen with the COVID-19 Pandemic, broadband and internet service access should be taken into account when considering what a student needs to succeed and accomplish their educational goals; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for equal student accessibility to broadband access and internet services as a legislative priority for the 2022 through 2023 term;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges create an advocacy toolkit and presentations for students to advocate for equal student accessibility to broadband access and internet services; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with each of the 116 colleges to ensure that students have internet services that are free (such as the implementation of hotspots) within each respective college campus.
Citation 1: California's Digital Divide - Public Policy Institute of California (ppic.org)
Citation 2: Report: More than 100,000 low-income California college students lack internet access | cbs8.com
Citation 3: Addressing the Internet Connectivity Needs of the California Community Colleges (cccco.edu)
Citation 4: Types of Broadband Connections | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)
WHEREAS, in a report done by CBS8 “about 102,000 students from lower income households and 145,000 students of color lack access to the internet, the report projects and when it comes to access to a laptop or tablet, the report finds more than 109,000 low-income students and nearly 134,000 students of color may be left out” [2];
WHEREAS, the Chancellor’s Office has also leveraged the California Connects Mobile Internet program, a low-cost internet alternative available to students, faculty and staff; which during the month of April, more than 1,500 students in need were provided with California Connects mobile hotspots and internet service through Sprint [3]; and
WHEREAS, in the 2021 through 2022 term, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges identified basic needs as a legislative priority, but as we have seen with the COVID-19 Pandemic, broadband and internet service access should be taken into account when considering what a student needs to succeed and accomplish their educational goals; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for equal student accessibility to broadband access and internet services as a legislative priority for the 2022 through 2023 term;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges create an advocacy toolkit and presentations for students to advocate for equal student accessibility to broadband access and internet services; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with each of the 116 colleges to ensure that students have internet services that are free (such as the implementation of hotspots) within each respective college campus.
Citation 1: California's Digital Divide - Public Policy Institute of California (ppic.org)
Citation 2: Report: More than 100,000 low-income California college students lack internet access | cbs8.com
Citation 3: Addressing the Internet Connectivity Needs of the California Community Colleges (cccco.edu)
Citation 4: Types of Broadband Connections | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)