Spring 2024
WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges seeks to “advance our goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice for the success of students”[1] and shall “work to improve the dialogue and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ students on their campus”[2];
WHEREAS, Comprehensive statewide organizations centered on uplifting other marginalized communities already exist within the context of the California Community College system, and these organizations have increased participants’ success — students in Umoja (an organization primarily for Black students) were twice as likely to both be transfer ready and earn awards within four years than a control group of Black students not involved in the program [3], and 97% of students in Puente (an organization primarily for Latino students) were continuously enrolled, as compared with 67% of all California community college students[4];
WHEREAS, Comprehensive statewide organizations facilitate opportunities to provide coordinated learning communities[5], community spaces[6], and conferences [7] which benefit students; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ students face unique types of marginalization as 32.5% of LGBTQ+ community college students ages 18-40 have anxiety and 31.7% have depression compared with rates of 15.3% and 12.8% in their non-LGBTQ peers respectively [8], while at the same time LGBTQ+ students do not have a statewide organization to facilitate coordinated opportunities, resulting in disparities — for example, only 35 institutions have an LGBTQ+ learning community[9] whereas 73 institutions have Umoja learning communities [10]; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges work towards and advocate for a sustainability funded comprehensive statewide organization focused on uplifting queer students; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges work to collaborate with relevant parties and stakeholders including LGBTQ+ students, the Chancellor’s Office, and existing LGBTQ+ organizations to support the creation of a comprehensive statewide organization, focused on uplifting queer students.
WHEREAS, Comprehensive statewide organizations centered on uplifting other marginalized communities already exist within the context of the California Community College system, and these organizations have increased participants’ success — students in Umoja (an organization primarily for Black students) were twice as likely to both be transfer ready and earn awards within four years than a control group of Black students not involved in the program [3], and 97% of students in Puente (an organization primarily for Latino students) were continuously enrolled, as compared with 67% of all California community college students[4];
WHEREAS, Comprehensive statewide organizations facilitate opportunities to provide coordinated learning communities[5], community spaces[6], and conferences [7] which benefit students; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ students face unique types of marginalization as 32.5% of LGBTQ+ community college students ages 18-40 have anxiety and 31.7% have depression compared with rates of 15.3% and 12.8% in their non-LGBTQ peers respectively [8], while at the same time LGBTQ+ students do not have a statewide organization to facilitate coordinated opportunities, resulting in disparities — for example, only 35 institutions have an LGBTQ+ learning community[9] whereas 73 institutions have Umoja learning communities [10]; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges work towards and advocate for a sustainability funded comprehensive statewide organization focused on uplifting queer students; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges work to collaborate with relevant parties and stakeholders including LGBTQ+ students, the Chancellor’s Office, and existing LGBTQ+ organizations to support the creation of a comprehensive statewide organization, focused on uplifting queer students.
Status:
The SSCCC strongly supports the intent of this resolution and affirms its commitment to uplifting LGBTQ+ students across the California Community College system. We will work in partnership with the Queer Caucus to advance the goals outlined in the resolution, including advocating for a sustainably funded, comprehensive statewide organization dedicated to serving and empowering queer students. As part of this effort, we will engage with relevant stakeholders—including LGBTQ+ students, the Chancellor’s Office, and existing LGBTQ+ organizations—to collaborate on the development of a unified and impactful statewide framework that centers equity, visibility, and support for queer communities in higher education.