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.
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The League Blog is written by the Community College League of California featuring California's 73 community college districts. The blog provides a platform for the League and its stakeholders to address timely and relevant issues that impact higher education and California's Community Colleges. We invite you to read our latest post.
Last week Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package intended to alleviate economic distress during the current Coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn. It is the largest stimulus package ever passed and it is worth roughly 10% of the United State’s GDP.
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.
More than 100 trustees, CEOs, faculty, students and other California community college (CCC) colleagues descended upon Washington, D.C. February 10th-12th, 2020, for the annual National Legislative Summit (NLS) hosted by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
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.
The Community College League of California spoke with Pamela “Pam” Ortiz Cerda, a DACA recipient and undocumented advocate, about a day in the life of a dream center. Pam is the Dream Center Program Coordinator at Skyline College in the San Mateo Community College District.
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.
Butte College is playing a key behind-the-scenes role in the Camp Fire recovery. More than 350 individuals have gone through training that Butte College established, with several hundred more on the waiting list. Of those, roughly 50 are already at work for debris-removal companies. From providing training for those jobless and displaced by the Camp Fire, to instructing how cleanup and construction can happen safely, Butte College is a partner in the rebuilding of the Paradise Ridge.
After watching the Assembly Chamber unanimously pass ACR 31 (with 67 co-authors signing on to the resolution) recognizing April 2019 as California Community College Month, I was reminded of just how far community colleges in California have advanced from their origins as extensions of K-12 school districts in the first decade of the 20th century.
It is a sunny Thursday morning in Aptos, California, and a large truck from Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz drives onto the campus of Cabrillo College. Boxes of fresh produce – carrots, watermelons, potatoes, lettuce, corn, and tomatoes – are unloaded by student volunteers and brought into the upper quad. A sandwich board sign with large letters announcing “Free Produce” at the “Cabrillo Fresh Market” is strategically placed in the middle of the main thoroughfare, hoping to attract the attention of passers-by on their way to and from class. Anyone within the Cabrillo community is welcome.
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