The Impact to California Community Colleges
On Tuesday, June 16th, the Conference Committee met and took action on the community college budget.
the committee voted to increase student fees to $26/unit. Assemblymembers Niello (R, 5th District) and Nielsen (R, 2nd District) were the only two who voted against the fee increase because they believed the increase to be too small and wanted it raised to $60/unit. This is outrageous and cannot go unnoticed.
Student advocates, we need YOU to call Assemblymembers Nielsen (916-319-2002) and Niello (916-319-2005) immediately in response to their actions yesterday.
We need to remember too that Niello and Nielsen voted on behalf of the Assembly Republicans. If you have a Repubican Assemblymember, CALL THEM TODAY and express your outrage over their words at the June 16th Conference Committee meeting .
Assembly and Senate Republicans think that increases in fees don't hurt low-income students, because of the BOG Fee Waiver, or middle-income students, because of a federal tax credit called the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). Please click the link at the bottom to see why the AOTC isn't the easy solution it's made out to be.
The Assembly Republicans have been incredibly insensitive to our student population. In particular, two large and invaluable portions of our student body have been ignored by those who argue that students won't be impacted by fees due to financial aid options: our AB 540 students, who do not qualify for federal or state financial aid due to residency, and our second-language and immigrant students, whose parents are reluctant to fill out a FAFSA. These students would be disproportionately impacted by increased fees since they would not receive the financial assistance that outside sources allude to.
Make your voice heard in this important legislative process. Call Assembly Republicans today and express your outrage!
Richael K. Young
President
Student Senate for California Community Colleges
click here > Student Fees and the AOTC
click here > Vice Chancellor Erik Skinner's Budget Update