WHEREAS, Noncredit students constitute a significant portion of the California Community College (CCC) system and in the 2022-2023 academic year, noncredit Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students numbered 80,063, representing approximately 8.6% of the total student body; and
WHEREAS, Noncredit students often face systemic and personal barriers, including limited access to financial, health, & academic support services and the lack of access to health programs available to credit students exacerbates these challenges; Now, therefore be it
WHEREAS, Access to health services, encompassing physical and mental health care, crisis assistance, and preventive programs, is well-documented as a crucial factor in student retention and success, and excluding noncredit students from these services undermines equitable outcomes;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage California Community Colleges (CCC) to permit noncredit enrolled students to opt in and pay their respective college's established Student Health Fee per given term and upon opting in, these students will be fully eligible for ALL campus health services;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges coordinate with the State Chancellor’s Office and other administrative bodies implementation at the district, state, levels of a policy to allow noncredit students to opt in and pay their respective college’s established Student Health Fee per given term; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges collaborate with community colleges to prepare targeted outreach materials, ensuring non-credit students are informed about the opt-in program, available services, and the enrollment process.
Citations:
[1] California Community Colleges Fast Facts 2024
[2] Mental Health Services Can Help Keep Students on Track to Graduate.