Rostrum article disseminated research findings (October 2014).
Whereas, In Spring 2011, 68% of the California community college students were non-white students, and the fastest growing student population in California is Latino students, which make-up 34% of the California community colleges or over 603,000 students (according to the CCC Chancellor’s Office DataMart) and are projected to be the majority of the students by 2019;
Whereas, By 2020, 67% of California jobs will require a career certificate or college degree (Complete College America, National Governors’ Conference, July 2011), but currently only 16% of Latinos have a college degree, and California’s economic competitiveness will depend on Latino student academic success in the California Community College System;
Whereas, 52 of the 112 California community colleges are already designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), with more HSIs soon to emerge, or have Latino student populations of 25% or more, so it is vital that they be successful in closing or eliminating the achievement gap; and
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community College is committed to equity for all students and has shown specific support for Umoja, Puente, MESA, and LGBT students;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges identify appropriate structures to support current and emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions in meeting the needs of Latino students and increasing their success, and report the findings to the body; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support closing the achievement gap for all students.
MSC Disposition: Local Senates