State and Legislative Issues

Appropriate Funding Per FTE

Whereas the national average cost of instruction for one FTES is $6,000 at a community college, and

Whereas at California community colleges the apportionment is $3,500 and ranks last in the nation, and

Whereas the UC, CSU, and K-12 apportionment is much higher than that of community colleges,

Resolved the Academic Senate urge the legislature and the Governor to increase Full-time Equivalent Student (FTES) funding for community colleges so that they can carry out their missions, and

Full Funding and Participation in the Board of Governors Process

Whereas the Board of Governors Budget Change Proposals (BCPs) have grown to be a substantial part of the system's funding, proposed to be over $500 million of the over $4 billion proposed budget for 1998-99, and

Whereas the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has not had the opportunity to participate in the development of BCPs, even those involving academic and professional matters, and

Whereas BCPs have not consistently funded the full cost of functions they mandate to the districts, particularly the cost of full-time faculty positions,

Health Benefits

Whereas FACCC helped write the AB 3099 (Campbell Bill), now law, which would award health benefits to part-time community college instructors working in different districts whose total hours were equivalent to full-time status, and

Whereas the majority of community college instructors working in non-credit programs are part-time instructors, and

Whereas many of these instructors work part-time in K-12 adult education programs and noncredit community college programs to achieve full-time loads, and

75/25 Compliance

Whereas community colleges hire a considerable number of employees, many of whom are part-time faculty, and

Whereas the number of employees working up to the limit of the 175 day rule continues to increase, and

Whereas many districts are out of compliance with the mandated 75/25 full-time, part-time ratio;

Resolved that the Academic Senate direct the Executive Committee to secure the 75/25ratio data from the Chancellor's office that will reveal the statistics for each college and each district, and

Cap Removal

Whereas the growth cap has not succeeded in equalizing funding for needy districts, and

Whereas growth spending must be planned carefully and must precede targeted growth goals, and

Whereas realistic timelines for growth must be developed and followed to assure an orderly educational delivery system;

Resolved that the Academic Senate urge the legislature to remove the current growth cap, and

Encouraging Student Voting

Whereas the presidential election will be held on November 5, 1996, and

Whereas there are several issues and candidates on the ballot that will affect or impact California community colleges, and

Whereas students and faculty who vote may influence the outcome of the election;

Resolved that the Academic Senate request faculty to announce that all students should vote on November 5.

Beer and Wine Consumption at Campus Functions

Whereas many California Community College students are returning to school after dropping out due to substance abuse are in recovery from substance abuse and have suffered from the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on families and friends, and

Whereas California Community Colleges are committed to teaching students to develop clear thinking and to make healthy choices, and

Whereas serving alcohol at school functions tacitly endorses use of intoxicating substances, and

Chancellor's Office Washington Connection

Whereas educational polices and funding are determined and influenced by both state and federal government, and

Whereas the federal government decisions may impact community colleges, and

Whereas community colleges may not have input into the federal legislative processes that affect community colleges, and

Whereas there needs to be community college toward federal decisions that affect community colleges;

Resolved that the Academic Senate support the Chancellor's Office effort to influence federal legislative decisions that affect community colleges.

Dedicated Funds for Faculty Professional Development

Whereas, AB 1725 recognized the need for dedicated funding for faculty professional development as vital to academic excellence and student success;

Whereas, Such funding was blended into the existing unfunded staff development line item;

Whereas, Such blending has led to conflict with other groups on campus for the use of such funds; and

Whereas, Such conflict has led to a dilution of funds available for faculty professional development;

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