Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Adopt a resolution in support of Senate Bill 893 (Becker) Community colleges: San Mateo County Community College District: California College Promise.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution in support of Senate Bill 893 (Becker) to enhance access and support for community college students in need.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) serves approximately 45,000 students through three campuses: Cañada College in Redwood City, the College of San Mateo, and Skyline College in San Bruno. The total cost of enrollment - including tuition, fees, books, technology, transportation, food, rent and other living expenses - can exceed $15,000 per year for community college students.
California law currently prevents local community college districts from using their various local revenues to offset tuition and expenses for students and restricts districts’ ability to waive or reduce enrollment fees. As a result, SMCCCD can only fund 2,000 of the 6,000 eligible students for its Promise Scholars Program even though they have local revenue to provide financial assistance for all eligible students.
DISCUSSION:
Without the flexibility to use local funds or reduce enrollment fees, SMCCCD is unable to supplement the Promise Scholars Program and achieve its goal of supporting underserved communities and students.
By allowing SMCCCD to use local funds to support students’ basic needs and to have the flexibility to charge less than the currently required state fee rate of $46 per credit unit, SMCCCD could make attending college less financially burdensome for students in need of assistance. Further, by permitting SMCCCD to supplement the California Promise Program with local funds, the bill would increase the number of students eligible to participate in the Program without any additional cost to the state.
The Senate Committee on Education passed SB 893 on March 9, 2022. The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bill on April 4, 2022, citing insignificant costs to the state. The bill is awaiting a full vote by the California Senate before it crosses to the Assembly.
A full analysis of the measure can be found in the attached form. The North Fair Oaks Community Council is requesting that the Board of Supervisors support the measure as it anticipates that students from the area could benefit greatly from the added financial support.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.