Whereas, The legislative intent of California Education Code §78052 is “that community college districts develop and implement zero-textbook-cost degrees and develop open educational resources for courses to reduce the overall cost of education for students and decrease the time it takes students to complete degree programs”;
Whereas, AB 928 (Berman, 2021) [1], the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act of 2021 aims to further streamline and make the transfer process easier for students to navigate but does not address the crucial need for additional spaces for transfer students to the California State University or University of California [2], especially for students to transfer to institutions in or near their community college service area;
Whereas, Zero-Textbook-Cost (ZTC) refers to instances in which textbooks are available to students at no cost, and California Education Code §66406.9 requires that California community colleges “Clearly highlight, by means that may include a symbol or logo in a conspicuous place on the online campus course schedule, the courses that exclusively use digital course materials,” providing a mechanism for marking course sections that are zero-textbook-cost;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges supports efforts to increase student access to high-quality open educational resources and reduce the cost of course materials and supplies for students in course sections for which open educational resources may not be available to accomplish zero cost for students and encourages colleges to implement a mechanism for identifying course sections that employ low-cost course materials (Fall 2017, Resolution 13.01);
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has adopted resolution 06.04 in spring of 2016, which urged “local senates to advocate for the improvement of and access to mental health services at their local campuses” and “support consistent resourcing and funding to enable the expansion of and improve access to mental health services for community college students;”
Whereas, The global pandemic starting in 2020 and continuing into 2021 has exacerbated and increased the need for mental health awareness, support, and education;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has published the paper “Building Equity Driven Systems” that calls for equity-minded practitioners;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has multiple resolutions supporting the success of students in math; and
Whereas, Racial justice practices have been called for in 2020 by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the Student Senate for California Community Colleges to address systemic racism;
Whereas, Registration for the 2021 Fall Plenary Session - Hybrid Event is $325 for virtual-only registration and $580 for in-person registration (plus the cost of travel, accommodation, and dinner on travel days);
Whereas, Nearly 500 people attended the virtual 2021 Spring Plenary Session which is far greater than any other previous in-person plenary event, and attendance at other institutes held virtually, including Faculty Leadership and Curriculum, during the pandemic has been greater than attendance at in-person institutes held prior;
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Bylaws Article V states, “the President shall make appointments to all standing committees,” “The President, in consultation with the Vice President and Executive Director, makes appointments to all other groups requiring faculty participation,” and “these appointments are subject to approval by the appointee’s Member Senate President” [1];
Whereas, The bylaws of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) include procedures and criteria for conferring the status of Senator Emeritus for the purpose of recognizing the meritorious service of a faculty member upon or after retirement, and Lesley Kawaguchi has satisfied those requirements as a faculty member of the California Community Colleges System whose service has exceeded the required five years of significant service to the Academic Senate;