This resolution establishes a position of the Senate that will be communicated with constituent groups as necessary.
Whereas, Rising college costs threaten to put higher education out of reach for many students, including California community college students, and each legislative budget cycle seems to include discussion of a proposed increase in fees;
Whereas, At the same time policy makers and other interested parties are proposing an increase in fees and the cost of textbooks continues to rise, lawmakers are recommending cuts to financial aid for our students resulting in an imbalance of aid to fees which causes many students to work more at the expense of their academics or to drop out of college because they can no longer afford to attend;
Whereas, The Competitive Cal Grant Program, whose primary recipients are California community college students, provides funding for educational expenses such as fees, books, and supplies and has helped keep college in reach for thousands of low and middle-income students; and
Whereas, The Competitive Cal Grant Program is under fire from the current national administration, which has proposed outright elimination of all new Competitive Cal Grants;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges strongly oppose any proposal to eliminate or cut all or part of the Cal Grant program.
MSC Disposition: Local Senates, Board of Governors, Chancellor’s Office