SBCCD educates lawmakers on how their actions impact students
Financial aid, Dreamers, and fixing aging college infrastructure among SBCCD’s priorities in Sacramento and Washington D.C.
Whether through Cal Grants, Pell Grants, institutional aid, or workforce development programs, the state and federal government has a significant impact on community college students. The San Bernardino Community College District strongly believes that taking civic action is critical to promoting student success. To that end, a delegation of trustees, college presidents and students visited lawmakers in Sacramento on January 28, and Washington D.C. on February 14 to discuss public policies to build a stronger workforce for Inland Southern California.
In Washington D.C., SBCCD advocated to:
Expand Pell Grant for students in short-term training programs
Congress is currently considering extending the eligibility of the Pell Grant to students who are enrolled in programs that last at least five weeks. This has the potential to provide significant benefit to students seeking high-quality short-term education and job-training opportunities. Learn more.
Protect California Dreamers
SBCCD supports the immediate enactment of legislation that will protect those eligible for the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) program, as well as provide them with long-term security and an opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship following a thorough application process.
Of the 800,000 DACA recipients across the country, 97 percent are in school or currently employed. More than one-in-four of these young people reside in California, while estimates find over 75,000 undocumented students enrolled in our public colleges and universities. Losing, or even underutilizing, these talented students poses a threat for California’s workforce and economy, as the state is already poised to be 1.7 million college educated workers short by 2025.
DACA recipients have been raised in our communities, educated in our public schools, and abide by our laws. California’s growth and continued prosperity relies on our ability to develop and tap into the potential of these talented young people.
In Sacramento, SBCCD advocated to:
Give Inland Empire community colleges their fair-share of state funding to fix aging facilities
In 2016, California voters supported Proposition 51 to approve $2 billion in state bonds to rebuild or repair aging community college infrastructure. While Proposition 51 funding has been allocated to 30 different campuses and centers in 18 counties, not a single project has been funded for any of the community colleges in California’s largest county, San Bernardino .
The disparity of state funding raises grave concerns as Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College needs $700 million for building safety repairs, and teaching facility upgrades to serve today’s and tomorrow’s students. As a result of SBCCD’s delegation visit to Sacramento, Inland Empire lawmakers have a deeper understanding about the need for a state and local funding solution to fix classrooms, labs and job-training facilities to better serve the community.
For more information about SBCCD’s advocacy efforts, contact Director of Marketing, Public Affairs and Government Relations Angel Rodriguez.
About San Bernardino Community College District
We serve 20 cities in the heart of Inland Southern California and create new opportunities for 21,000 students each year through our two fully-accredited campuses: Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. We cultivate minds and transform our community throug KVCR, the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television affiliate station. Through our day-to-day educational enterprise, SBCCD generates $621 million in local economic activity each year. Learn more: Watch our video.
Board of Trustees
Joseph Williams, President
Gloria Macias Harrison, Vice President
Dr. Anne L. Viricel, Clerk
Donna Ferracone, Trustee
John Longville, Trustee
Frank Reyes, Trustee
Dr. Donald L. Singer, Trustee
Autumn Blackburn, Student Trustee (SBVC)
Jajuan Dotson, Student Trustee (CHC)
Chancellor
Bruce R. Baron
Presidents
Diana Z. Rodriguez, San Bernardino Valley College
Dr. Wei Zhou, Crafton Hills College
