Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. The board of governors consists of 18 voting members, including 2 voting student members appointed by the Governor. Existing law requires that members of the board receive their actual and necessary traveling expenses while on official business and that each member also receive $100 for each day the member is attending to official business. The campuses of the California Community Colleges administer the Community Colleges Student Success Completion Grant program which requires, for a student to qualify to receive a grant award, that the student receive a Cal Grant B or C award, make satisfactory academic progress, and be a California resident or exempt from paying nonresident tuition.

This bill would award Community Colleges Student Success Completion Grant program awards to student members of the board of governors, as specified. To the extent the bill would impose new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Date of Hearing: May 3, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Chris Holden, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1542

Author:(Mike Fong) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2023

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill provides a Community Colleges Student Success Completion Grant program award to each student member of the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors.

Specifically, this bill requires each student member of the CCC Board of Governors to receive a Community Colleges Student Success Completion Grant program award from the CCC such a student attends in the amount of $4,000 per semester or quarterly equivalent, of each year such a student is a member of the CCC BOG, regardless of the number of units in which such a student is enrolled.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Ongoing annual Proposition 98 General Fund costs of $16,000 to a CCC with a student who serve on the CCC Board of Governors. This equates to two students receiving an award of $4,000 every semester, or $8,000 every academic year.

The state would need to reimburse these costs to CCC, if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill’s requirements to be a reimbursable state mandate.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the CCC Chancellor’s Office, sponsors of this this measure:

Student participation is an essential component in the creation of student-centered policies. Despite serving such a large system, student members of the Board of Governors receive inequitable compensation compared to their peers at the California State University, University of California, California Student Aid Commission and even some local community college districts. Their time served on the Board of Governors can often mean sacrificing employment where wages can cover the cost of college.

1. Background. The CCC Board of Governors is tasked in law with providing leadership and direction to the CCC. The Board of Governors is comprised of 18 voting members, including two student members.

The Community Colleges Student Success Completion Grant provides $4,000 per semester for students taking 15 or more units. In order to qualify, a student must receive a Cal Grant “B” or “C” financial aid award, make satisfactory academic progress, and be a California resident or exempt from paying nonresident tuition.

1. Related Legislation. AB 1541 (Mike Fong) of this legislative session gives each student member of the governing board of a CCC district an advisory vote. The bill is pending in this committee.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 18, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1542 (

Author:Mike Fong) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2023

SUBJECT: Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges: student members: Student Success Completion Grant program awards.

SUMMARY: Stipulates funds from the California Community Colleges (CCC) Student Success Completion Grant Program (SSCGP) be awarded to student members of the CCC Board of Governors (BOG). Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires that a student member of the CCC BOG must receive a SSCGP award for each semester or quarterly equivalent, of each year the student is a student member of the CCC BOG.
2. Stipulates that a student member can receive a SSCGP award, as enumerated in (1) above, regardless of the number of units in which the student members is enrolled in a CCC.
3. Stipulates that notwithstanding any other provision, except for the provision that specifies that this measure shall not be operative in a fiscal year unless funding has been provided for this measure for that fiscal year in the annual Budget Act or another statute, that a student member of the CCC BOG will receive a SSCGP award from the CCC the student attends in the amount of $4,000 per semester or quarterly equivalent, of each year the student is a member of the CCC BOG, regardless of the number of units in which the student is enrolled.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the mission and function of the CCC, which, in part, is to: 1) offer academic and vocational instruction at the lower division level for both younger and older students, including those persons returning to school; 2) grant the associate in arts and the associate in science degrees; 3) offer English as a Second Language instruction, adult noncredit instruction, and support services which help students succeed at the postsecondary level; and, 4) advance California’s economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services that contribute to continuous work force improvement (Education Code (EC) Section 66010.4)
2. Establishes the CCC, as a postsecondary education system in this state, under the administration of the BOG and specifies that the CCC consist of community college districts (EC Section 70900).
3. Requires CCC BOG to provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the CCC as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state. The work of the BOG shall at all times be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the California Community Colleges (EC Section 70901).
4. Stipulates the CCC BOG must consist of 18 voting members, comprised of the following:
   1. Twelve members, each appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the membership of the Senate to six-year staggered terms. Two of these members shall be current or former elected members of local community college district governing boards;
   2. Two voting student members. Each student member may exercise the same right to attend meetings of the board, and its committees, and shall have the same right to vote as the members appointed;
      1. A student member shall be enrolled in a community college with a minimum of five semester units, or its equivalent, at the time of the appointment and throughout the period of the student member’s term, or until a replacement has been named. A student member shall be enrolled in a community college at least one semester before the student member’s appointment, and shall meet and maintain the minimum standards of scholarship prescribed for community college students;
      2. Each student member shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of names of at least three eligible persons submitted to the Governor by the student organization recognized by the board of governors; and,
      3. The term of office of one student member of the board shall commence on July 1 of an even-numbered year, and expire on June 30 two years thereafter. The term of office of the other student member of the board shall commence on July 1 of an odd-numbered year, and expire on June 30 two years thereafter a student member who graduates from the student member’s college on or after January 1 of the second year of the student member’s term of office may serve the remainder of the term.
   3. Two voting tenured faculty members from a community college, who shall be appointed by the Governor for two-year terms. The Governor shall appoint each faculty member from a list of names of at least three eligible persons furnished by the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges. Each seat designated as a tenured faculty member seat shall be filled by a tenured faculty member from a community college;
   4. One voting classified employee, who shall be appointed by the Governor for a two-year term. The Governor shall appoint the classified employee member from a list of at least three eligible persons furnished by the exclusive representatives of classified employees of the California Community Colleges; and,
   5. The Lieutenant Governor is a voting member (EC Section 71000).
5. Requires that CCC BOG members receive their actual and necessary traveling expenses while on official CCC BOG business and stipulates that each CCC BOG member also receive $100 for each day the member is attending to official CCC BOG business (EC Section 71004).
6. Establishes the SSCGP, under the administration of the CCC. Stipulates that SSCGP is operative only in fiscal years funding has been provided for SSCGP in the annual Budget Act or another statute. Expresses that SSCGP awards are intended to cover non-tuition costs of college. Specifies a student attending a CCC may receive a SSCGP award if the student meets all of the following requirements:
   1. Receives a Cal Grant B or C award;
   2. Is making satisfactory academic progress at the college under criteria required by the applicable federal standards, as specified;
   3. Is a California resident or is exempt from paying nonresident tuition, as specified; and,
   4. Students who meet the applicant criteria shall be eligible for the following grant amounts:
      1. $1,298 per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll in 12, 13, or 14 units per semester, or the quarterly equivalent number of units; and,
      2. $4,000 per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll in 15 units per semester, or the quarterly equivalent number of units (EC Section 88931).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Role and background of CCC BOG. The CCC is guided by a process of shared governance, and the CCC BOG sets policy and provides guidance to the CCC, which is comprised of 116 colleges and 73 community college districts. Further, the BOG serves over 1.8 million students at the CCC, many of whom are historically underrepresented and under-served. 69% of CCC students are people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.^[1] Forty-six percent are Latinx and/or Hispanic, 11% Asian, 6% Black, 4% Multi-ethnic, 3% Filipino, less than 1% American Indian and Alaskan Native, and less than 1% Pacific Islander. Fifty-four percent of students identify as female. Around half of students are adult students (age 25 or older). Thirty-five percent identify as first-generation students, 10% are Adult Education/English language learners, 3% are veterans, and 2% are foster youth.

Additionally, the CCC system also serves students from a diverse range of economic backgrounds. Sixty-four percent of students across the system are classified as Perkins Economically Disadvantaged. According to the CCC Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), 74% of CCC students attend school part-time, and 64% percent are working students.

The CCC BOG, in part, is composed of 18 members, including two student members. [Please refer to the Existing law section of this analysis for the full composition of the BOG.]

Typically, the BOG meets in Sacramento, California, six times per year. Several meetings span the course of two days. As stipulated in existing law, BOG members currently receive $100 in compensation and any travel expenses while on official BOG business. However, this level of compensation may not be enough to allow students of all backgrounds to participate as a student member of the BOG.

Purpose of this measure. According to the author, “attending college requires paying for more than just tuition and fees. Students also struggle with non-tuition costs, including basic needs like housing, transportation, and food. In order to cover these costs, students frequently take on jobs in addition to their schoolwork. In fact, according to the CCCCO, 64% of CCC students work while attending school.”

The author contends that, “students of all backgrounds should be able to serve on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. AB 1542 will provide a $4,000 per semester Student Success Completion Grant to the two student members of the board. This will enable student board members to conduct their board responsibilities without worrying about finding additional employment and allow a wider range of students to serve, ensuring that the board reflects the demographic diversity of our state.”

Currently, California State University (CSU) Student Trustees, University of California (UC) Student Regents, and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Student Commissioners, are provided tuition waivers during their terms as student Trustees, Regents, and Commissioners. However, student members of the CCC BOG do not currently receive a tuition waiver. The author states, “this means that student members may need to pay for both their tuition costs and basic needs out of pocket. These are significant expenses that may require them to take on a job in addition to their schoolwork and service on the board. This may not be feasible for all CCC students, and may prevent some students from serving on the board.”

This measure, in part, seeks to provide parity among all student leaders, regardless of which leadership board they serve, CCC BOG, CSU Trustees, UC Regents, or CSAC Commission.

The SSCGP. The Legislature, in conjunction with the Governor and the Department of Finance, created the SSCGP; and, stipulated, commencing with the 2018-19 academic year, each participating CCC must provide a SSCGP award to eligible students in order to assist in offsetting students’ total cost of CCC attendance.

The 2022-23 Budget Act adjusted the SSCGP whereby $200 million was allocated in addition to funding from previous budget years. According to the CCCCO, the additional allocation in the Budget Act increased the SSCGP Fund to $412 million. Additionally, the 2022-23 Budget Act increased the award amount for all eligible CCC students: $1,298 per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll in 12, 13, or 14 units per semester, or the quarterly equivalent number of units; and, $4,000 per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll in 15 units per semester, or the quarterly equivalent number of units

Committee comments. Committee Staff understands ongoing funding for the SSCGP is one of the author’s budget priorities.

Arguments in Support. According to the CCCCO, sponsors of this this measure, “the California Community Colleges Board of Governors sets policy and establishes regulations for the largest higher education system in the United States.” The CCCCO contends that, “student participation is an essential component in the creation of student-centered policies. Despite serving such a large system, student members of the Board of Governors receive inequitable compensation compared to their peers at the California State University, Unviersity of California, California Student Aid Commission and even some local community college districts. Their time served on the Board of Governors can often mean sacrificing employment where wages can cover the cost of college.”

The CCCCO states that, “the increased financial support provided by AB 1542 can be used to cover student members’ total cost of attendance, which is critical to the success of community college students.”

Lastly, according to the CCCCO, “students who want to serve on the board may choose not to pursue this role due to work obligations or financal concerns. By providing student board members with financial aid, AB 1542 may expand the pool of potential student board members.”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Association of California Community College Administrators

California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office (Sponsor)
Community College League of California
Faculty Association of California Community Colleges
John Burton Advocates for Youth
Rio Hondo College

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

1. https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Key-Facts ↑