Whereas the Academic Senate has long been committed to success for all students and has been particularly concerned with meeting the needs of those students who are underprepared or underrepresented, and/or those who have special educational needs, and
Whereas the student population of the California Community Colleges is rapidly changing in such a way that in the near future students from hitherto underrepresented ethnic and cultural groups, as well as students facing special physical and learning challenges, will make up the majority in our classrooms, and
Whereas effectively serving this changing student population will require the special attention of all faculty in adapting teaching strategies, curriculum delivery methods, and individual instructional techniques to meet the changing instructional needs of these students, and
Whereas effecting these changes goes far beyond institutional programs provided in support of these students, to require the dedicated commitment of every faculty member in the California Community Colleges to the goal of ensuring the success of these students, and
Whereas the Academic Senate of Santa Barbara City College has adopted a "Statement on Underrepresented Students" (Appendix C) committing faculty to this goal and has proposed this Statement for consideration statewide,
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges adopt a position based on the "Statement on Underrepresented Students" adopted by the academic senate of Santa Barbara City College and commit itself to the practical implementation of the goals stated therein, and
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend to local senates that they adopt a similar statement of principles and that they dedicate themselves to the implementation of its goals, and
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges communicate this position to the Chancellor and the Board of Governors and urge their full support, both philosophical and tangible, to the realization of the goals contained therein.