Spring 2024
WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) has always had the goal of ensuring the equal educational opportunity of all students, that we embrace the diversity of the communities we serve as an integral part of our history, a recognition of the complexity of our present state, and a call to action for a better future [1];
WHEREAS, State Senator Anthony Portantino (D-San Burbank) introduced SB971 in 2024 [2] and if passed, it would require the governing boards of California Community Colleges to adopt a policy that creates a program that would allow 150 low income students, from a region impacted by war or regional conflict, to be exempt from the nonresident tuition fee at each college;
WHEREAS, SB-971 would require the governing boards of California Community Colleges to adopt a policy that would create a program that would review applications to only allow 150 low income students, from a region impacted by war or regional conflict, to be exempt from the nonresident tuition fee at each college [3]; and
WHEREAS, February 24, 2022, officially marked two years since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine since then California has been a hub for refugees escaping the war [4] and Former Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Foundation CEO Geoff Green said “We do have students from Ukraine at SBCC” and “we have happily assisted them” [5]; and with the unpredictable nature of globe geopolitics and ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and Central and South America, this bill allows students an equal opportunity at an education far from home; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges add SB971 as a legislative priority for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the passage of SB971 (Portantino, 2024) and continues to provide support on behalf of its students for expansive accessibility to pursue higher education.
WHEREAS, State Senator Anthony Portantino (D-San Burbank) introduced SB971 in 2024 [2] and if passed, it would require the governing boards of California Community Colleges to adopt a policy that creates a program that would allow 150 low income students, from a region impacted by war or regional conflict, to be exempt from the nonresident tuition fee at each college;
WHEREAS, SB-971 would require the governing boards of California Community Colleges to adopt a policy that would create a program that would review applications to only allow 150 low income students, from a region impacted by war or regional conflict, to be exempt from the nonresident tuition fee at each college [3]; and
WHEREAS, February 24, 2022, officially marked two years since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine since then California has been a hub for refugees escaping the war [4] and Former Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Foundation CEO Geoff Green said “We do have students from Ukraine at SBCC” and “we have happily assisted them” [5]; and with the unpredictable nature of globe geopolitics and ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and Central and South America, this bill allows students an equal opportunity at an education far from home; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges add SB971 as a legislative priority for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the passage of SB971 (Portantino, 2024) and continues to provide support on behalf of its students for expansive accessibility to pursue higher education.