With the ongoing protests surrounding the unjust murders of innocent Black people at the hands of law enforcement, the topic of systemic racism and its practices have been a hot topic. As a recent graduate from Pasadena City College (PCC) and having been involved in student government at PCC, I recognize the importance of student voices in the California Community College system. While many colleges reflect on their current policies and attempt to answer the Chancellor’s Call to Action, here are some ideas on how institutions that actively serve marginalized communities can better serve Black and African American students.

According to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a student is considered homeless if he or she does not have regular, fixed, or even adequate housing. This is inclusive of students who live in parks, motels, cars, shelters, and others who live with other people on a temporary basis since they do not have anywhere else to go. Almost every part of the world contains students who are homeless, but many studies find that California is one of the leading states in the world where homelessness has become a major concern. In an effort to minimize the level of educational and financial unattainability, the Community College League of California has released a new report offering California Community Colleges recommendations for reducing institutional and procedural barriers that prevent students from receiving their maximum financial aid, while also improving the disbursement of financial aid awards in a timely manner.

Sierra College dedicated a new solar array at its Rocklin campus that is projected to save millions of dollars in long-term energy costs. The two megawatt (MW) solar parking canopy structure, plus energy storage system developed with ForeFront Power, will provide reliable electricity to the campus over a 20-year term.

We don’t have to look far to see the impact of food insecurity on college campuses. Recent reports show that 48 percent of community college students are food insecure. At Cerritos College, 25 percent of students qualify for the state’s EBT/CalFresh program. The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to purchase most foods at many markets and restaurants. As such, students are facing an unspeakable dilemma – having to choose between paying for living expenses or purchasing a meal.