General Concerns

Whereas, Guided pathways represents an opportunity for the 114 colleges to examine student success, identify invisible barriers accumulated in our institutions and in California’s higher education system, and create clear messaging for our students to successfully complete their own educational goals;

Whereas, Faculty participation is essential to a process that builds on and rigorously examines our ability to deliver services and enable students to complete programs of study;and

Whereas, The 2018-2019 Governor’s Budget Trailer Bill Language (February 20, 2018) calls for creation of a new California Online Community College District for “working adults to access high-quality, affordable and flexible opportunities to pursue postsecondary education that does not conflict with their work and familial obligations”;

Whereas, The administration of a college may be mandated to submit a financial recovery plan as a result of functioning under a deficit for a length of time; and

Whereas, Title 5 §53200 provides that processes for institutional planning and budget development are academic and professional matters;

Whereas, Since California community colleges are involved in bond-funded building projects and campus expansion, colleges may increasingly find they are stewards of native habitats, as well as sensitive, threatened and endangered species, resulting in a need for wildlife and habitat conservation plans;

Whereas, The significant rise in costs of textbooks is a barrier to college attendance, student access, and student success, and many colleges are interested in reducing the cost of textbooks to increase student access to necessary course materials;

Whereas, Open access to the arts and humanities allows students of all backgrounds to acquire a broad awareness of history and cultural diversity, develop critical thinking skills, and learn empathy for human experiences of all kinds;

Whereas, Inherent in the mission of the California community colleges is the preparation of students for a rich, meaningful, and engaged life that goes beyond transfer and career preparation to helping students develop qualities of responsible citizenship;

Whereas, California community college libraries provide an increasingly vast array of online resources including research databases, ebooks, online information literacy tutorials, chat reference assistance, and library catalogs;

Whereas, In recognition of the critical role that libraries play in student success, the vast majority of California Community Colleges[1] provide direct links to the college library on their websites; and

Whereas, Recognizing both full- and part-time faculty through the Hayward Award is a laudable and important goal;

Whereas, Alternating the recognition of part-time and full-time faculty in each area annually has reduced the opportunity to recognize full-time faculty to receive recognition; and

Whereas, This practice has created confusion at some colleges that have completed their local award programs and has made it difficult to recognize both full- and part-time faculty;

Whereas, On-campus violence has impacted our colleagues, students and system of higher education;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges express its sympathy and condolences to the colleges, universities, and communities affected by violence. 

MSU