Resolutions

SB971 (Portantino, 2024) did not pass; however, the SSCCC formally supported the bill and submitted letters of support as part of its advocacy efforts.

While the SSCCC strongly supports efforts to advance equity, representation, and inclusion within the California Community College system, we are unable to take on this resolution at this time due to limited capacity and the scope of the work required. The resolution calls for deep structural and curricular changes that would necessitate long-term collaboration with multiple system stakeholders, including faculty, local districts, and statewide governance groups. Given our current priorities and strategic focus, we are not positioned to lead this work during the current cycle. However, we encourage ongoing dialogue and remain open to supporting aligned efforts in the future as capacity allows.

The SSCCC recognizes the growing popularity and impact of Esports in student engagement, community building, and career development. While we were unable to prioritize work on this resolution during the current cycle due to capacity limitations and other pressing organizational priorities, we acknowledge the potential benefits of CCCAA formally recognizing Esports as a legitimate sport. We support efforts to create structured leagues and competitions, as well as resources that promote the well-being and performance of student players. As this area continues to grow, we remain open to supporting student-led advocacy and collaboration with CCCAA in the future to advance equitable access and support for Esports across the California Community College system. 

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. 

The SSCCC supports the intent of this resolution to ensure equitable compensation and benefits for student trustees across all California Community College districts. As a next step, the SSCCC will begin researching current compensation practices for student trustees statewide to better understand the disparities that exist and identify models of best practice. This research will inform future advocacy efforts aimed at establishing consistent standards that recognize student trustees as essential public servants entitled to fair remuneration and support, not as recipients of discretionary privileges. Further updates and opportunities for engagement will be shared as this work progresses.  

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. However, we recognize the importance of the issues raised and are committed to working in partnership with the Student Parent Caucus to explore opportunities for future advocacy and action.

As part of this commitment, the SSCCC will consider developing a Parent Student Advocacy Toolkit to support local and statewide efforts. Potential components of the toolkit may include:

• Regional flyers listing local resources such as childcare centers, food pantries, and other support services
• Email templates for reaching out to child care providers regarding voucher programs
• Templates for contacting campus basic needs centers to inquire about additional grants or resources for single-parent students
• A summary of current and past advocacy efforts related to parenting students, including relevant legislation
• A story collection component to highlight lived experiences of single student parents
• A draft resolution template that Student Body Associations (SBAs) can adapt and share with campus stakeholders
• Research and data on parenting students in higher education to support local advocacy

This toolkit aims to equip student leaders with practical tools and information to support parenting students and advance equity across the California Community College system.

All California Community Colleges are required to designate a Dream Resource Liaison, and a directory of these liaisons is available on the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office website. As part of its 2024–25 advocacy efforts, the SSCCC also supported a $15 million budget request to expand funding for Dream Resource Centers and Liaisons across the system.

The SSCCC recognizes the importance of strengthening financial transparency and accountability at the regional level. While this resolution was not implemented during the current cycle, it has been identified as a priority for the 2025–26 year.

In the upcoming cycle, the SSCCC will explore changes to its policies to ensure that:

• All region-hosted events or fundraisers include a detailed, venue-specific expense proposal submitted for approval by the Region Delegates Assembly at least one month prior to the event;
• All regional expenses are reviewed and approved by the Delegates Assembly before being incurred; and
• A financial impact report is submitted to the Delegates Assembly within 30 days following the event by the Treasurer or, in their absence, the Regional Affairs Director.

These changes will help promote consistency, financial stewardship, and transparency across all regions.

The SSCCC deeply respects and honors the experiences of Native American and Indigenous students across the California Community College system. While this resolution was not formally advanced during the current cycle due to limited capacity, the SSCCC remains committed to elevating Native and Indigenous issues as a statewide student advocacy priority. With the recent addition of a Tribal Liaison position, we are committed to more intentionally centering Native American voices and perspectives within our work.

As part of this commitment, the SSCCC supports efforts to recognize Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5th, to encourage campus-wide engagement through events such as informational sessions and peacemaking circles, and to advocate for the hiring of Native American and Indigenous faculty who can serve as culturally competent Title IX and Title V advocates for students experiencing sexual violence and discrimination. We look forward to working in partnership with Native and Indigenous communities to further this important work.

With the addition of a Tribal Liaison on our staff, the SSCCC is deepening its commitment to supporting Native American and Indigenous students across California Community Colleges. While this resolution was not formally advanced during the current cycle due to limited capacity, we fully support its goals and recognize the importance of protecting Native cultural heritage and honoring tribal sovereignty.

We encourage all California community college districts to hire a Tribal or community liaison to serve on their Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Committees, and we advocate for the contracting of qualified NAGPRA Specialists to ensure that campuses uphold their responsibilities under federal law. The SSCCC looks forward to working alongside Native communities, students, and institutional partners to advance advocacy focused on cultural preservation, repatriation, and justice.

The SSCCC did not formally address this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing priorities. However, we recognize the critical importance of monitoring and responding to nonresident fee increases, especially as they disproportionately impact vulnerable student populations.

Looking ahead, the SSCCC can support the intent of this resolution by:

• Collaborating with regional leaders to establish a process for collecting and monitoring proposed nonresident fees across community college districts, using the guidelines outlined in Education Code §76140.
• Empowering delegates and student trustees to identify the lowest possible nonresident fee among contiguous districts and advocate for its adoption under Option C of the Education Code.
• Developing a shared communication strategy with student body associations to ensure that fee changes are promptly communicated to affected students.
• Centering nonresident student voices in regional discussions and exploring region-led campaigns or toolkits that support advocacy around equitable fee policies.

As SSCCC continues to expand its capacity, we remain committed to advancing student-centered policies and will consider building this advocacy into future regional training and legislative engagement.

The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. 

In response to this resolution, the SSCCC is pleased to report that a comprehensive Pronoun Inclusivity Toolkit has been developed and is now available to support student leaders and campus advocates. This toolkit includes resources aligned with the resolution’s goals, such as:

• Guidance for advocating increased visibility and accessibility of gender-neutral restrooms, particularly in high-traffic campus areas, along with recommendations for inclusive signage and campus directory updates.
• Information on promoting the use of pronouns, including advocacy strategies for allowing students, faculty, staff, and administrators to display their pronouns on college websites, class rosters, transcripts, and ID cards.
• A sample advocacy letter and language recommendations for encouraging colleges to replace “chosen/preferred name” with “updated name” to promote accuracy and inclusivity.
• Resources to support annual professional development opportunities focused on gender diversity for faculty, staff, and administrators.

We encourage student leaders to utilize the toolkit in collaboration with their Student Body Associations and campus partners to advance gender equity and foster more inclusive campus environments across the California Community College system.

The SSCCC is working with the Chancellor’s Office and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to reduce cost to zero-cost textbooks.  More information about accomplishments in this area can be found on this document.  

In response to this resolution and others resolutions related to housing insecurity, the SSCCC has developed and released a Housing Advocacy Toolkit that incorporates the step-by-step action plan referenced in the resolution. This toolkit is designed to guide Student Body Associations and student leaders in collaborating with their colleges to advocate for safe, affordable housing solutions and to support students experiencing housing insecurity.

The toolkit includes:

• A detailed action plan for partnering with colleges to implement housing initiatives such as the H.O.U.S.I.N.G. Grant Program
• Templates for advocacy letters and outreach to college administrators and local officials
• Resources and data to support the development of housing programs
• Examples of pilot programs and best practices from campuses across the state

The SSCCC endorses the action plan included in the toolkit and encourages all community college student governments to use these resources to advocate for the implementation of housing support programs on their campuses. We remain committed to addressing student basic needs and will continue supporting efforts to ensure that all students have access to safe and stable housing.

The SSCCC has not yet taken action on this resolution due to limited capacity and competing priorities during the current cycle. However, we recognize the importance of expanding access to Queer Studies courses as a critical component of inclusive and representative curriculum. We will consider this resolution for future advocacy efforts and explore opportunities to collaborate with academic partners and campus stakeholders to support the development and availability of Queer Studies courses across the California Community College system.

This resolution has been incorporated into the LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Toolkit, developed to support systemwide efforts in fostering inclusive and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ students across California Community Colleges. The toolkit includes advocacy resources aligned with the resolution’s objectives, such as:

• Strategies and talking points to advocate for mandatory LGBTQ+ training for all part-time and full-time faculty and classified staff, with recommendations for integrating this training into the hiring process and renewing it every two years.
• Outreach materials and customizable templates to help raise awareness about the importance of LGBTQ+ training, including guidance on collaborating with local student governments, LGBTQ+ student organizations, and campus stakeholders.

These resources are designed to support both local and statewide advocacy efforts to ensure that faculty and staff are well-equipped to create safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments.

Additionally, the SSCCC will urge the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to collaborate with key stakeholders and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to develop a comprehensive, systemwide training program. This training should address critical topics such as LGBTQ+ terminology, cultural competency, inclusive teaching practices, creating supportive classroom environments, and addressing bias and discrimination. The SSCCC is committed to advocating for a program that reflects the latest research and best practices in LGBTQ+-inclusive education and promotes meaningful, lasting change across the system.

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.