WHEREAS, The increased severity of federal activity in immigration enforcement across community college campuses statewide is evident in the recent directives from the California Community Chancellor's Office, which emphasize existing “affirmative obligations” to prevent students, staff, and faculty from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement initiatives unless required, [1] as well as the Secretary of State's recent disclosure that over 300 student visas have already been revoked, [2] including at well-known institutions such as Columbia University and Tufts University, [3] thereby deepening the state of uncertainty faced by undocumented students;
WHEREAS, Undocumented students represent approximately 87,000 individuals across California’s higher education institutions, contributing to campus diversity and societal progress despite systemic barriers to financial aid and legal protections, with the largest share of students belonging to the California Community Colleges system [4];
WHEREAS, Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations (§55024) permits district governing boards the adoption of non-evaluative symbols such as Incomplete (I) for students facing unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons, (e.g mental health related issues, chronic illnesses, or unexpected life events that significantly alter a student’s educational path) & Excused Withdrawal (EW) for students facing extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, which may include immigration-related crises, to safeguard their academic records and well-being [5]; and
WHEREAS, Highlighting the use of I & EW can help undocumented students avoid academic penalties associated with traditional withdrawals in addition to assisting “affirmative obligations” placed upon administrations across the California Community Colleges System; Now, therefore be it resolved
RESOLVED, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with local student body associations to educate undocumented students about their rights to request Incomplete (I), Excused Withdrawal (EW) and other non-evaluative symbols under existing state regulations;
RESOLVED, The Student Senate for California Community collaborate with Veterans Resource Centers, Dreamer Resource Centers, immigrant rights organizations, and college administrators to ensure I & EW grading policies are made aware for students; and
RESOLVED, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the creation and distribution of multilingual “Know Your Rights” materials to include I and EW grading policies, ensuring accessibility and understanding of non-evaluative symbols for undocumented students, similar to previously distributed SSCCC Student Rights Cards.
[1]https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/legal-advisory/2025-02… e-sanctuary-jurisdiction-a11y.pdf?la=en&hash=B2F5B1F5500FFFA9ED94B23E56068828A874 CA0D
[2]https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/student-visas-revoked-greenland-am…- morning-rundown-rcna198516
[3]https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5217595-international-students-f… on-crackdown-ice-tufts-student-detained-columbia-alabama/
[4]https://calmatters.org/education/2025/03/california-colleges-immigratio…
[5]https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/IAEA1ED704E1911ED8FA79D0FA8A5…
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