State and Legislative Issues

State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Whereas the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology exists for the purpose of regulating the industry in such areas as public protection, safety standards, and professional ethics, and

Whereas the State Board oversees the licensing of instructors and technicians and establishments for the purpose of quality education and service, and

Whereas Barbering and Cosmetology programs are an important part of vocational education at many community colleges, and

Part-Time Faculty Office Hours

Whereas the Academic Senate has consistently recognized the importance of student access to their instructors, and

Whereas 40% to 60% of all California community college instruction is by part-time instructors who are not compensated for office hours, and

Whereas students of such part-time faculty are not guaranteed access to their instructors outside of the classroom,

Faculty Hiring: 75:25 Ratio

Whereas AB 1725 intended that each California community college district achieve a full-time/part-time faculty ratio of 75:25, and

Whereas after 10 years many districts have not yet achieved this ratio, with some districts still very far from this goal, and

Whereas the 75:25 ratio is in the best interest of students, faculty and the quality of education, and

Support for Campus Child Care

Whereas, The instructional and student service functions of early childhood programs are at risk due to proposed cuts in categorical funds in the Governor's 2003-2004 budget; and

Whereas, These proposed cuts will hurt the most at-risk students, specifically low-income student-parents who rely on child care to attend classes;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with the Chancellor's Office to oppose funding cuts that impact campus child care and early childhood education laboratories.

Advocacy for Preserving Teacher and Reading Development Partnership (TRDP) Programs

Whereas, Thirty-three districts/colleges throughout the system have established Teacher and Reading Development Partnership (TRDP) programs to provide clearly articulated transfer-track teacher-preparation programs for students from diverse backgrounds;

Whereas, The original 5-year promise of $10 million per year beginning 2000-01 was reduced in 2002-03 to $5 million by the Governor, and further cuts proposed for 2003-04 will severely and disproportionately reduce funding to the TRDP programs statewide, resulting in their discontinuance in most cases;

Additional Revenue

Whereas, The 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education affirmed that the California community colleges were to be institutions of inclusion for all populations, and the colleges remain today the primary gateway to higher educational opportunities for citizens who are economically and educationally disadvantaged; and

Whereas, Historically, state budget cuts have had a negative impact on the delivery of instruction and services critical to the access and success of all students;

Opposition to Budget Cuts to Matriculation, EOPS, and DSPS

Whereas, The paradigm of the California community colleges has for the past four decades increasingly been one of inclusion for all populations; and both state and federal law, as well as respect for human diversity and need, call for California community colleges to provide services and programs to include students with disabilities and socioeconomic disadvantages;

Whereas, It is clear through both research and anecdotal experience that sound practices in student orienting, academic advising and educational goal-setting are key elements of success for all students;

College Determination of Programs and Curriculum

Whereas, Legislation is being introduced in the California Legislature designed to implement the new Master Plan for Education; and

Whereas, Parts of this legislation seek to remove the authority for the approval of programs and the establishment and modification of curriculum, as well as other academic matters, away from the local level and place the authority entirely in the hands of a centralized administrative state body, such as the Board of Governors;

Rights and Responsibilities of Local Academic Senates

Whereas, Legislation is being introduced in the California Legislature designed to implement the new Master Plan for Education;

Whereas, Parts of this legislation seek to remove or amend current law with regard to the rights and responsibilities of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and of local senates to "assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards," presently provided for in Education Code 70901 and 70902 and further detailed entitle 5; and

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