Spring 2024
WHEREAS, AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021)[1] and California Education Code §66023.5 [2] have mandated basic needs resource centers in community colleges, however, their limited operating hours pose a significant barrier to evening students, including working individuals, those with dependents, and part-time students, and this exclusion hinders their access to critical resources, perpetuating feelings of frustration and marginalization, such as extending resources to night students, thus it is imperative to ensure equitable access and bolster student success;
WHEREAS, Findings from a 2016 Cal State case study on Southern California Community Colleges[3] revealed that participants expressed feelings of exclusion, frustration, and self-identification as "passenger students" when encountering difficulties accessing support services and engaging in campus life, highlighting the critical need to extend resources to night students to ensure their inclusion and success;
WHEREAS, The equity and accessibility of educational support services are compromised when students who contribute equally to Student Support Fees cannot utilize services they are entitled to, especially during evening hours when such services are most needed; and
WHEREAS, The principle of equal access necessitates that resource centers cater to all students, irrespective of their class schedules, ensuring that no student's academic or personal well-being is jeopardized due to lack of support services during non-traditional hours; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges seek amendments to AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021) and California Education Code §66023.5 to secure additional funding for community colleges that commit to extending the operating hours of their basic needs resource centers and printing service, making these essential services accessible to students attending evening classes;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges advocate that essential services such as food, printing, and any other academic support do not face additional barriers to their education due to operational constraints or funding; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges collectively work with community college administrations, student senate, academic senate, college administration, the Board of Governors and state legislators to advocate for and implement the necessary amendments to AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021), recognizing the fundamental role that accessible basic needs support services play in the academic and personal success of our diverse student body.
WHEREAS, Findings from a 2016 Cal State case study on Southern California Community Colleges[3] revealed that participants expressed feelings of exclusion, frustration, and self-identification as "passenger students" when encountering difficulties accessing support services and engaging in campus life, highlighting the critical need to extend resources to night students to ensure their inclusion and success;
WHEREAS, The equity and accessibility of educational support services are compromised when students who contribute equally to Student Support Fees cannot utilize services they are entitled to, especially during evening hours when such services are most needed; and
WHEREAS, The principle of equal access necessitates that resource centers cater to all students, irrespective of their class schedules, ensuring that no student's academic or personal well-being is jeopardized due to lack of support services during non-traditional hours; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges seek amendments to AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021) and California Education Code §66023.5 to secure additional funding for community colleges that commit to extending the operating hours of their basic needs resource centers and printing service, making these essential services accessible to students attending evening classes;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges advocate that essential services such as food, printing, and any other academic support do not face additional barriers to their education due to operational constraints or funding; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges collectively work with community college administrations, student senate, academic senate, college administration, the Board of Governors and state legislators to advocate for and implement the necessary amendments to AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021), recognizing the fundamental role that accessible basic needs support services play in the academic and personal success of our diverse student body.