Whereas, The model of program-based funding is intended to achieve specific goals established by AB 1725;
Whereas, These goals have not been met because inadequate funding from the Legislature and the Governor has placed California community colleges among the lowest per-student funding rate in the nation; and
Whereas, Great disparity exists even within the state in the funding of districts of diverse socio-economic make-up;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has adopted Resolution 6.08 F00 calling for California community colleges to be recognized as equal partners in California's system of postsecondary education, and recommending that California community colleges be funded at a level at least equal to that of the other public postsecondary segments;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has supported the basic tenets of program-based funding, as it includes program standards related to class size, the 75/25 ratio of credit instruction taught by full- to part-time faculty, library standards and other programmatic considerations, and the finance mechanism has also been cost sensitive in relation to such things as the needs of basic skills students and small and large college differentials;
Whereas, "Transfer: The Next Generation," proposed by the California Education Round Table to evaluate current transfer "processes and mechanisms" with the established goal of "greater coordination and, possibly, consolidation" of current transfer-related and articulation related projects, has been conceived and designed without any input from the Academic Senates of the California Community Colleges, University of California (UC), and California State University (CSU);
Whereas, Our community college student population is increasingly diverse and reflects the demographic trends of the state (based on the 2000 Census Report); and
Whereas, The faculty and staff in the California Community College System do not reflect this demographic diversity;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate recognize that faculty diversity must be an integral part of any learning environment that increases student success; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate take a leadership role in promoting the diversification of faculty of the colleges.
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges is proud of its thirty-year history of support for equal opportunity--including but not limited to affirmative action measures;
Whereas, The California Supreme Court's broad interpretation of Proposition 209 in Hi-Voltage Wire Works, Inc. v. City of San Jose may have created the false impression that affirmative action requirements are no longer in effect at California community colleges; and
Whereas, The draft Workforce Preparation and Economic Development Initiative includes proposals that will help the California community colleges better prepare students for the new economy;
Whereas, The draft Workforce Preparation and Economic Development Initiative includes participation of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges in instituting recommended activities;
Whereas, The Board of Governors is developing a new initiative on economic development;
Whereas, The new initiative will include career ladder development, integration of vocational and academic education, basic skills preparation, and life long learning concepts; and
Whereas, The new initiative would direct that some economic development funds be included in the base for every college (instead of going out only on a competitive basis);
Whereas, AB 1725 gives the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges the right and obligation to oversee all curricular matters;
Whereas, The requirement for student enrollment in any class is a curricular matter; and
Whereas, Students should not face unnecessary obstacles to achieving their educational goals in a timely manner;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate oppose the imposition of mandated requirements for student workers without collegial consultation with the academic senate.
Whereas, Part-time faculty contribute significantly to the effectiveness of California community college educational program;
Whereas, Part-time faculty deserve to be supported as professionals in their professional capacities;
Whereas, Part-time faculty deserve humane working conditions and comparable compensation for their work; and
Whereas, Students deserve the same access to faculty regardless of their employment status;