Fall 2009
Committee:
Educational Policies Committee, Governmental Relations Committee
Whereas, The California State laws have not defined the legal role of the advisor with the exception of Education Code and due to the absence of legal standards defining the role, limitations, and the powers of the adviser, (whether they are certified staff, faculty or administrators) to safeguard the operations of the student government administrations’ officers and members;
Whereas, Historically, California community college student organizations have shared that the role of advisors may be a problem and the General Assembly recognized it in resolution 24.07 F07, “Student Club Advisor Roles”;
Whereas, Due to the lack of inconsistent documentation of historical memory, operations, resources and training of the student government legal rights, liabilities, and high turnover of students in California Community Colleges new student government members may be subjected to indoctrination by the adviser’s vision of what student government is to the possible detriment of a student-driven organization, which may lead to limitations of outside resources, networking, and training (e.g. SSCCC General Assembly attendance) for students; and
Whereas, The California Community Colleges Board of Governors Consultation Council’s Student Issues Task Force (composed of students, advisers, classified staff, academic senate, chief student services officers, and Chancellor’s Office staff members) fulfilled its primary charge in addressing this issue, requested by the SSCCC, by recommending local control, but this recommendation will not satisfactorily help students systemwide;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges support legislative efforts to amend the California Education Code to define the limitations that are legally enforceable on the role and authority of advisers assigned by administration to oversee the liability aspects of the districts; and
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office representatives and others to define the role of the student advisor.
Whereas, Historically, California community college student organizations have shared that the role of advisors may be a problem and the General Assembly recognized it in resolution 24.07 F07, “Student Club Advisor Roles”;
Whereas, Due to the lack of inconsistent documentation of historical memory, operations, resources and training of the student government legal rights, liabilities, and high turnover of students in California Community Colleges new student government members may be subjected to indoctrination by the adviser’s vision of what student government is to the possible detriment of a student-driven organization, which may lead to limitations of outside resources, networking, and training (e.g. SSCCC General Assembly attendance) for students; and
Whereas, The California Community Colleges Board of Governors Consultation Council’s Student Issues Task Force (composed of students, advisers, classified staff, academic senate, chief student services officers, and Chancellor’s Office staff members) fulfilled its primary charge in addressing this issue, requested by the SSCCC, by recommending local control, but this recommendation will not satisfactorily help students systemwide;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges support legislative efforts to amend the California Education Code to define the limitations that are legally enforceable on the role and authority of advisers assigned by administration to oversee the liability aspects of the districts; and
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office representatives and others to define the role of the student advisor.