Spring 2020
Committee:
Regional Affairs and Legislative Affairs Committees
WHEREAS, a large percentage of students face insufficient resources to fund everyday basic needs (including housing, food, mental health resources, etc.), which is outlined in a survey conducted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office stating that “56.8 percent of respondents had direct contact with students experiencing basic needs insecurity multiple times per week” [1];
WHEREAS, according to “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey” (the “nation’s largest annual assessment of basic needs security among college students”), “60% of respondents were housing insecure” and “19% of respondents were homeless in the previous year”, which represents the growing need for affordable permanent or temporary housing for students while attending college [2];
WHEREAS, the California Budget and Policy Center stated that “students from CCC reported higher rates of impaired academic performance due to mental health issues than students at CSU and UC campuses,” but they were “half as likely to receive referrals for counseling or mental health services by a faculty member”, which represents the need for better mental health resources on California Community College campuses [3]; and
WHEREAS, the “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey” states that “50% of the California community college” survey respondents experienced food insecurity, and “19% of California community college survey respondents” experienced homelessness showing how a large percentage of California Community College students struggle with insufficient housing or food resources [4]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges increase legislative advocacy for basic needs in California Community Colleges to provide affordable temporary and permanent housing solutions, increased mental health service funding, expanded food pantries, and other similar long-term basic needs solutions on a statewide level for students;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges increase regional outreach initiatives to expand the number of Basic Needs Centers on California Community Colleges, which would help increase local action and the implementation of these long-term basic needs initiatives; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for funding to help colleges with the startup process of Basic Needs Centers or other basic needs projects on California Community College campuses statewide.
Citation 1: “California Community Colleges Basic Needs Survey Report,” California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, (2018): 1.
Citation 2: Sara Goldrick-Rab et al., “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey,” The Hope Center, (March 2019): 2.
Citation 3: Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto, “California College Students Are Increasingly Experiencing Mental Health Issues and Need Improved Support,” California Budget & Policy Center, published May 30, 2019, https://calbudgetcenter.org/blog/california-college-students-are-increasingly-experiencing-mental-health-issues-and-need-improved-support /.
Citation 4: Sara Goldrick-Rab et al., “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey,” 5-9.
WHEREAS, according to “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey” (the “nation’s largest annual assessment of basic needs security among college students”), “60% of respondents were housing insecure” and “19% of respondents were homeless in the previous year”, which represents the growing need for affordable permanent or temporary housing for students while attending college [2];
WHEREAS, the California Budget and Policy Center stated that “students from CCC reported higher rates of impaired academic performance due to mental health issues than students at CSU and UC campuses,” but they were “half as likely to receive referrals for counseling or mental health services by a faculty member”, which represents the need for better mental health resources on California Community College campuses [3]; and
WHEREAS, the “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey” states that “50% of the California community college” survey respondents experienced food insecurity, and “19% of California community college survey respondents” experienced homelessness showing how a large percentage of California Community College students struggle with insufficient housing or food resources [4]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges increase legislative advocacy for basic needs in California Community Colleges to provide affordable temporary and permanent housing solutions, increased mental health service funding, expanded food pantries, and other similar long-term basic needs solutions on a statewide level for students;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges increase regional outreach initiatives to expand the number of Basic Needs Centers on California Community Colleges, which would help increase local action and the implementation of these long-term basic needs initiatives; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for funding to help colleges with the startup process of Basic Needs Centers or other basic needs projects on California Community College campuses statewide.
Citation 1: “California Community Colleges Basic Needs Survey Report,” California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, (2018): 1.
Citation 2: Sara Goldrick-Rab et al., “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey,” The Hope Center, (March 2019): 2.
Citation 3: Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto, “California College Students Are Increasingly Experiencing Mental Health Issues and Need Improved Support,” California Budget & Policy Center, published May 30, 2019, https://calbudgetcenter.org/blog/california-college-students-are-increasingly-experiencing-mental-health-issues-and-need-improved-support /.
Citation 4: Sara Goldrick-Rab et al., “California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey,” 5-9.