The Promise of a College Education

Rarely does an opportunity come along that allows a society to answer a cultural imperative: providing the chance for all to go to college. We are now seeing that opportunity and it directly impacts our society as well as Community college faculty, staff and students positively.

Proposition 92—the ballot measure—gives all Californians the opportunity to attend Community College. Proposition 92 will ensure that Community Colleges can continue to serve our students and continue to receive ample funding. It provides funding for our colleges and our students, many of whom could not reach the CSU or UC systems. Over the past 20 years, Community Colleges have lost more than 5 billion dollars in state funding because our funding is not based on our own enrollment needs. If Proposition 92 passes, it is estimated that San Jose Evergreen will received more than $5.1 million dollars in 2009-2010 and beyond. On this fact alone it would seem that we wouldn’t need tell you why we have to get involved, BUT…here’s why:

ACCESS: It reduces student fees to $15 per unit while restricting the state legislators from increasing this amount whenever they want. It makes community colleges affordable. In 2004, when fees were hiked from $11-$19-$26, 305,000 fewer students enrolled at California’s community colleges. Affordable and predictable student fees provide greater access to community colleges for thousands of Californians who may not otherwise have access to higher education.
AFFORDABILITY/FUNDING: It provides stable funding for California community colleges and requires minimum levels of state funding for community colleges based on our enrollment (not tied to K-12 enrollment). Under the initiative, funding allocations would be based on the growth in the independent systems (K-12 and Community Colleges). This way, funding for community colleges– which are projected to have more students in the coming years– could increase independently of K-12 enrollment.

COMMUNITY: It guarantees that the community college system will be independent from state politics and formalizes the CCC Board of Governors and the community colleges in the state constitution like CSU and UC systems.

What Can You Do to Support Proposition 92?
1. Donate Money-place a check made out to Californians for Improving Community Colleges (with you name and address) and place it in the FA, AFT 6157 mailbox

2. Join the leaders from SJECCD, WVMCCD and FDA in working together. We will be planning a press conference, a fundraiser (save Tuesday November 27th) and setting up tables on campus with our student groups to raise money and educate our folks on this proposition

3. Join our COPE committee, go to our web page at www.fa-aft6157.org and click on COPE, fill out the form and put it in the Faculty Association mail box. This will enable the Union to contribute more money to Proposition 92

4. Wear a button everyday that says “YES ON PROP 92”; distribute literature after your class is over; call the Union and volunteer your time

We know we are all busy in classes and our own lives, but there are times when every one of us must make room for other things. This is one of those times. Never before have we had the opportunity to so directly impact our own futures and the future of our students.

This proposition is about each and every one of us, but it will not succeed unless every one of us participates in every way we can.