Student Success Infrastructure Act of 2012

Spring
2012
Resolution Number
06.03
 
Contact
Assigned to
President
Category
State and Legislative Issues
Status
Completed
Status Report

Senate representatives participated in the Student Success Task Force implementation, worked with both legislative and Chancellor's Office staff to improve SB 1456 (2012), and supported the new language, which was signed into law in 2012. The Governor's 2013 - 14 budget provided funding for the Student Success Act in response to advocacy supporting the work of the Student Success Task Force recommendations by numerous constituents including the Senate.

Whereas, AB 1741 (Fong, as of March 30, 2012), the Student Success Infrastructure Act of 2012, would set up a fund, subject to the Budget Act, to enhance the following infrastructure in the community colleges:

  • Increase the counselor to student ratio;
  • Restore critical student support services;
  • Increase the ratio of full- to part-time faculty; and
  • Increase the professionalism of part-time faculty beginning with expansion of paid office hours;

    Whereas, These infrastructure components directly correlate to increased student success, since they result in direct student contact and services that help identify and respond directly to student needs;

    Whereas, Successful implementation of the Student Success Act of 2012 (SB 1456 Lowenthal, as of March 30, 2012) would depend upon a funding stream being identified, since this bill does not specify such a funding stream, especially for counseling and advising services; and

    Whereas, The Consultation Council did not act upon a February 6, 2012 digest jointly signed by the presidents of five statewide faculty groups (FACCC, CCA/CTA, CCC/CFT, ASCCC, CCCI) which proposes that the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Consultation Council convene a funding task force to “develop a full cost scenario for implementing the Student Success Task Force recommendations”;

    Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges strongly support AB 1741 (Fong, as of March 30, 2012) Student Success Infrastructure Act of 2012.

    MSA Disposition: Local Senates