By Angeline Huang Evans
Students speak out and learn to lead through state and local community college governance.
In a modest hotel conference room in Sacramento, 30 delegates listen to presidential candidates speak about constituent apathy, advocacy, state policy, public relations, and fundraising. The delegates hail from all over the state, easily span a two-decade range of ages, and reflect the state’s ethnic diversity. When the elections are done, they will begin considering how to implement dozens of resolutions they have been charged to carry out by their constituents. This is the statewide Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) council.
Student representation in statewide community college governance dates back to 1988 Assembly Bill 1725, which formalized the governing structure for California Community Colleges and required the Board of Governors and local district trustees to engage in shared governance with faculty, students, and other constituents. The California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) and various other student organizations succeeded in bringing a student voice to the policy table some of the time. However, CalSACC’s fee-based membership dwindled over time until the organization comprised only about 20 percent of the colleges in the state, making it unable to truly represent the statewide student interest. The organization was disbanded in 2005. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office worked with the California Community Colleges Student Affairs Association, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, California Community Colleges Chief Student Services Administrators Association, and student leaders to design a new organization that could truly speak for community college students. The Board of Governors recognized the SSCCC in 2006. This organization is supported by the Chancellor’s Office and participates in statewide shared governance and advocacy.
Today, student representation in shared governance occurs on campus and at the state level, with regional organizations bridging the two. Each college defines its own student government structure and campus policy priorities, and sends representatives to their regional organizations, which address common issues and send regional representatives to the SSCCC, which also includes 10 at-large senators elected at the statewide General Assembly. The SSCCC takes a statewide look at policy and provides a student perspective to the Board of Governors, Consultation Council, and numerous task forces and advisory committees. It also advocates directly to lawmakers in Sacramento and speaks on behalf of community college students on the state budget and legislation. This approach maintains autonomy on the campus levels while pooling resources for large-scale efforts.
“A critical job of the Student Senate is staying linked to the local student governments,” says Linda Michalowski, Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Special Programs. “When the Student Senate council speaks for students they’re actually reflecting something that comes from the grassroots, not just what the individuals who are on the council believe.”
The Student Senate has also taken on a large role in statewide advocacy, particularly during California’s current budget situation.
“Having funding cut back, courses slashed, things like that, was the motivator,” says Reid Milburn, 2009–10 SSCCC president, of the increased emphasis on advocacy. “Students, all we have to do is pick up the phone and call your legislators. Set up a meeting and go in and talk to them. It makes a world of difference, and I don’t think students realize how easy it is.”
Student government and the SSCCC are also valuable opportunities for students interested in policy, advocacy, or management. Some participants come with previous student government experience, but many of them don’t. Some students get involved because they have political aspirations, while others are motivated by student activities and then drawn into the statewide policy realm.
Michelle Price, who was a regional senator on the SSCCC before she was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to her current position as a student representative on the statewide Board of Governors, put her college career on hold after high school to start a family. Her involvement with the student government at College of the Desert opened her eyes to student representation, and drove her to get more involved on the statewide level. “I recognize that I do have a voice in the things that affect me as a student,” she says. “Because I didn’t know that before student government, it lit a fire in me—why didn’t I know this before? I think every student should know that they have a voice in what goes on with their education.”
Student government seems to have a life-changing effect on students. Since becoming involved in student government, Price has changed her career plans from nursing to health care management. Current SSCCC president Alex Pader, who has attended Napa Valley College and American River College, was on his way to being a pilot, but is now pursuing a career in public service. Folsom Lake College student president Meghan O’Donnell started college intending to go into medicine, but found her passion in politics.
Student government involvement also comes with leadership development opportunities offered by campuses, the Student Affairs Association, and the SSCCC. Twice a year, the SSCCC holds a General Assembly, which includes workshops on policy issues important to community college students, followed by voting on resolutions and the election of at-large senators. This is in addition to the state and local advocacy efforts, which can draw thousands of students.
“One of the strengths [of the SSCCC] is our ability to mobilize thousands of students across the state,” says SSCCC President Pader. “If you look at a map of the community colleges, we have this really unique way of being everywhere across the state in every single community.”
The California Community Colleges educate millions of students annually; a student body so large and diverse cannot be ignored. Through shared governance, the SSCCC, and campus student governments, the student voice continues to be heard, ensuring the Community Colleges will continue to be a resource and opportunity for students in the future.