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Resolution in Support of the Community College Governance, Funding Stabilization, and Student Fee Reduction Act

WHEREAS, Community colleges are essential to workforce development and our economy, and a lifeline to opportunity for over 2.5 million students throughout our state, including California's future teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, skilled technicians, mechanics, and child care workers, along with the next generation of UC and CSU students.  Thirty percent of all Latinos in the United States who are attending college are enrolled in a California Community College.  There are 90,000 more African American students in community colleges than in both the CSU and UC systems combined and 250,000 students with Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds are enrolled.  California Community Colleges serve these students through a system of 72 locally-established and governed community college districts with 109 colleges within a statewide system that needs stable funding, predictable student fees, local control, and the ability to provide effective leadership for the system of 109 colleges;

WHEREAS, the Proposition 92 - California Community College Initiative funds the increase to community colleges through natural growth in the state's general fund, without raising taxes and lowers student fees to $15 and makes them stable and predictable by prohibiting the Legislature from increasing fees by more than the change in per capita personal income.  In 2004 when fees were raised to $26 per unit, 305,000 students fewer students than expected enrolled.  The Act also guarantees that students will have at least 60 days’ notice before any fee increase takes effect and ensures that fee revenue stays with the community colleges for the improvement of education, instead of being diverted to other state programs;

WHEREAS, the Community College Initiative would ratify the existing bilaterally-governed community college system by placing it in the State Constitution, thereby securing locally elected governing boards accountable to voters and a statewide chancellor hired by the Board of Governors who are appointed by the governor.  The Act would provide the local community colleges with a secure, stable source of funds that is tied to community college enrollment growth. It would not threaten funding for K-12 education in California because primary and secondary education would retain its funding mechanism tied to its growth;

THEREFORE, be it resolved, that XXX supports the Proposition 92 (formally called the Community College Governance, Funding Stability, and Student Fee Reduction Act) that will be on the California statewide ballot on February 5th, 2008;

THEREFORE, be it further resolved, that XXX communicates its support to the media and the appropriate individuals and committees of XXX.

Submitted by XX