Cap on Total Units

Spring
2011
Resolution Number
09.02
 
Contact
Assigned to
President
Category
Curriculum
Status
Completed
Status Report

Senate representatives will continue to advocate for principles included in this resolution during future conversations related to unit-caps.

Whereas, The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has recommended a lifetime cap on publicly-funded community college units (see “The 2011-12 Budget: Prioritizing Course Enrollment At the Community Colleges”), arguing that some students exploit the status quo by accumulating units to meet individual learning goals unrelated to transfer or workplace needs; and

Whereas, The LAO’s recommendations (1) make no distinction among kinds of units earned (basic skills, transfer, career technical education), (2) lack clarity about the impact of the recommendation on students with units earned at four-year colleges, (3) make no provision for students needing re-training to maintain employability in a rapidly changing working environment, (4) fail to acknowledge that academic programs vary widely in the amount of lower division preparation that is appropriate, (5) do not recognize the special circumstances that occur for students enrolled in high unit majors, and (6) could result in a denial of services to re-entry students;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges oppose any cap on units that might penalize or impede the progress of students whose academic goals serve the public interest in promoting higher degree attainment, workplace readiness, and lifelong learning.

(LAO paper can be found at http://www.lao.ca.gov/analysis/2011/highered/ccc_course_enrollment_012011.pdf)

MSC Disposition: Local Senates, Consultation Council