Whereas it is the goal of the California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) and its Student Trustee Commission to promote stronger student representation within the California Community College system, and
Whereas the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has always supported a strong role for students in governance, and
Whereas the student trustee is a legislatively mandated position, and
Whereas the purpose of the student trustee position is to represent the students on the district governing board and to represent the students' views, and
Whereas it is beneficial to the college to encourage the most capable students to seek election as the district student trustee, and
Whereas added responsibility will encourage the most capable students to seek election as the district student trustee, and
Whereas the Board of Governors voted unanimously to encourage local governing boards to accord student trustee privileges to the extent permissible by law,
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support the recommendations from the California Student Association of Community Colleges to enhance the student trustee position on local governing boards by ensuring that student trustees have the following rights:
a. an advisory vote listed in the Board minutes,
b. equal meeting and travel compensation,
c. the privilege to make and second motions,
d. equal opportunity to attend available conventions and conferences,
e. distribution of information equal to fellow trustees to the extent permitted by law, and
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support the current law allowing student trustees to attend executive sessions, other than those on personnel or collective bargaining matters, and
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support the CalSACC request to local boards that each local governing board recognize the student trustee as a full and responsible member of their respective governing boards and empower that member with the full privileges available to them by law.