Spring 2024
WHEREAS, According to the 2020 United States Census, over 16 million people in California aged 5 years or older speak a language other than English at home and the California Department of Education found in a California Language Census from Fall 2022 that there were over a million English learners in California public schools;
WHEREAS, Sonya Christian, the current California Community College Chancellor, states in her letter introducing Vision 2030, in part, “. . . Vision 2030 reexamines what access means when we lead with equity. We are the largest system of higher education in the nation, serving 1.9 million students and yet 6.8 million Californians who graduated high school have not completed a college credential . . . Vision 2030 asks the fundamental question - why have we not yet reached these individuals? When students cannot find their way to college, it is our responsibility to bring college to them”;
WHEREAS, The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office states that “addressing the needs of underserved students and boosting the capacity of California’s community colleges to help those students succeed in securing their certificates and degrees has long been a focus of the Chancellor’s Office”; and
WHEREAS, A diverse learning environment in higher education is shown to enrich students’ educational experience as it challenges stereotypes, sharpens their critical thinking and analytical skills, promotes a healthy personal growth that helps contribute to the pluralistic society of United States, and allows students of all backgrounds to reflect on the institution creating sense of belonging and inclusiveness; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for documents and resources related to enrollment, registration, graduation, and student services be translated to the most spoken languages in their districts as it plays a critical role in ensuring an equitable educational journey, fosters inclusivity, overcomes language barriers, and provides accessibility for students from all backgrounds.
WHEREAS, Sonya Christian, the current California Community College Chancellor, states in her letter introducing Vision 2030, in part, “. . . Vision 2030 reexamines what access means when we lead with equity. We are the largest system of higher education in the nation, serving 1.9 million students and yet 6.8 million Californians who graduated high school have not completed a college credential . . . Vision 2030 asks the fundamental question - why have we not yet reached these individuals? When students cannot find their way to college, it is our responsibility to bring college to them”;
WHEREAS, The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office states that “addressing the needs of underserved students and boosting the capacity of California’s community colleges to help those students succeed in securing their certificates and degrees has long been a focus of the Chancellor’s Office”; and
WHEREAS, A diverse learning environment in higher education is shown to enrich students’ educational experience as it challenges stereotypes, sharpens their critical thinking and analytical skills, promotes a healthy personal growth that helps contribute to the pluralistic society of United States, and allows students of all backgrounds to reflect on the institution creating sense of belonging and inclusiveness; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for documents and resources related to enrollment, registration, graduation, and student services be translated to the most spoken languages in their districts as it plays a critical role in ensuring an equitable educational journey, fosters inclusivity, overcomes language barriers, and provides accessibility for students from all backgrounds.