WHEREAS, Financial literacy is a critical skill for making informed decisions about personal finances, such as saving, investing, managing debt, and building wealth, which enhances student access to educational opportunities and success, aligning with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges’mission to empower and engage all students through professional development, particularly those from marginalized communities [1];
WHEREAS, The Public Policy Institute of California reports that 70% of students in California Community Colleges are from low to moderate-income families, with many lacking access to resources that can lead to upward economic mobility [2];
WHEREAS, The Student Investment Program at Santa Rosa Junior College has successfully established a replicable model by integrating student leadership, administrative support, philanthropic partnerships, and educational resources, creating a functional and legally vetted framework that demonstrates the practical feasibility and strategic importance of extending financial education and investment opportunities across the community college system; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of the Treasury's report on "Experiential Financial Capability Education" demonstrates that experiential learning approaches significantly improve financial knowledge, decision-making skills, and long-term financial behaviors, by exposing them to real-world consequences of financial decisions [3], as reflected in the Student Investment Program at Santa Rosa Junior College; Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for support in securing $10,000 in funding for each participating school to pilot the Student Investment Program in at least 10 California Community Colleges, through a variety of funding sources including but not limited to grants, donations, sponsorships, or other partnerships;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the allocation of $1,000,000 in startup capital to pilot the Student Investment Program across the California Community College system, in addition to Santa Rosa Junior College;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate that the pilot program aim to establish a scalable model for financial literacy and investment education that can eventually be expanded to include all California Community Colleges, ensuring every student, regardless of economic background, has the opportunity to participate in this transformative program; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work with student body associations to present this resolution to governing boards of all California Community Colleges, as well as to relevant state education and finance committees and advocate for the necessary endorsements and funding to bring this initiative to fruition.
Citations:
[1] Student Senate for California Community Colleges
https://ssccc.org/who-we-are/about-us/mission.html
[2] Public Policy Institute of California
https://www.ppic.org/publication/career-pathways-and-economic-mobility-… ty-colleges/
[3] The US Department of the Treasury https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/231/My-Classroom-Economy-Brief.p… gpt.com