RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the California Community Colleges system employs and serves members of the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, institutional data lacks awareness and opportunity for dynamic expression of student and colleague gender identities; and
WHEREAS, there is often a conflation of sexuality and/or romantic orientation and gender identity due to lack of understanding of these aggregate and intersectional identities; and
WHEREAS, there are limited physical spaces, such as all-gender restrooms, private showering and changing spaces, physical LGBTQ+ resources and social centers, and other safe spaces, at the California Community Colleges; and
WHEREAS, there is limited dedicated funding and resources for the LGBTQ+ programs at the California Community Colleges; and
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ+ student population has been identified as a disproportionately impacted student equity group at the California Community Colleges;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate will give the classified professionals the opportunity for professional development and personal growth at the annual Classified Leadership Institute that will be centered on the LGBTQ+ community to improve campus culture and improve the understanding of LGBTQ+ identities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate will advocate for funding at the State level to support California Community Colleges programs that support the LGBTQ+ community directly, which can be used to improve and create dedicated spaces and resources; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate will, using a human rights lens, support LGBTQ+ students and colleagues in their individual choice to safely self-determine their identity.
Sponsors: Karen Hunter, Classified Professional
Tony Santa Ana, Classified Professional – De Anza Office of Equity
Adriana Garcia, Classified Professional – De Anza Office of Equity
Victoria Dang, De Anza Jean Miller Resource Room (JMRR) student intern
Loan-Anh Pham, JMRR student intern
Raquel Chavez, JMRR student intern
Sinh Do, De Anza student, Active Minds Club President, Student Wellness Ambassador
Chesa Caparas, De Anza Faculty and Faculty Coordinator of JMRR
Roseanne Quinn, De Anza Faculty in English and Women’s Studies
Arien Reed, President of Allied Staff & Faculty Assoc., Fresno City College
Statement and Resolution
of the
California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board
The California Community Colleges Classified Senate (4CS) Board raises its voice, along with our Black brothers and sisters, against the merciless killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Stephon Clark, and countless others. We recognize that systemic racism exists, and is prevalent in the educational system, is active on every one of our campuses since it is engraved in our foundation. Blackness is not separate from history, it is a vital part of history as atrocious as it may be, and it is reality.
The California Community Colleges serve members of the Black community. Yet, there is limited dedicated funding and resources for Black programs, such as the Men of Color and Umoja, and limited programs for women of color at the California Community Colleges. With that, there are limited physical spaces, such as social-centers and other safe spaces, for our Black students.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and each of the Community Colleges have equity plans, wherein our Black student population has been identified as a disproportionately impacted student equity group at the California Community Colleges. We need to honor, respect, implement, and be accountable to these plans. Although each California Community College has an equity plan, the dominant culture’s narrative is generally taught in the classrooms. As institutions, we have asked our students to excel without giving them the opportunity. The California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board recognizes that equity needs to be holistic, we need to support the whole student, and classified professionals need to participate in the equity process. We understand supporting our Black community/students does not mean we do not care about our other students. We need to be safe space advocates for our Black community students.
The staff, faculty, and administration of the California Community Colleges does not reflect our student population, especially our Black student population. As a California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board, we support the work of the many Unions who represent our classified colleagues ensuring equitable hiring practices are being followed. As leaders of the classified professionals, we need to look at our values and be self-aware to overcome the racism that exists. Participatory governance leadership does not reflect our student population, the Classified Senate included. We need to open space, without hierarchy, for everyone’s voices to be heard, acknowledged, and activated.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board will advocate for funding at the state level to support California Community Colleges programs that support our Black community directly, which can be used to improve and create dedicated spaces and resources at each California Community College such as Men of Color, Umoja, Brothers Forum, Sisters Forum, and Black Student Unions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board will support the equity plans at the state and local level, and advocate for Afro-centric practices and pedagogy throughout all course curriculums to support the education and knowledge of Black history to increase our students ability to succeed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board will provide the classified professionals the opportunity for professional development and personal growth with specific equity training to improve the understanding of the Black community, Black culture and history, as the classified professionals are crucial in the success of our students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board supports hiring practices, including but not limited to, actively recruit from sources of the Black Community and equal opportunity practices, and to recruit our Black colleagues for leadership in the California Community Colleges Classified Senate; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate Board recognizes that Black Lives Matter, and will support our Black community and liberation for all.
Sponsors:
Ray Austin, Chaffey College Center for Culture & Social Justice
Andre Meggerson, Foothill College Enrollment Services Specialist
Sabrina Stewart, De Anza College Occupational Training Institute Supervisor
Deborah Taylor, De Anza College Laboratory Technician – Nursing Program
Karen Hunter, De Anza College Financial Aid and 4CS Bay 3 Area Representative
Use of the Term Classified Professional
The California Community Colleges Classified Senate (4CS) support of the use of the term “Classified Professional”, Unanimously Approved June 15, 2019
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, classified titles reflect the level of professionalism offered by an institution, and
WHEREAS, the Cambridge English Dictionary defines “Professional” as a person who has a job that needs skill, education or training, and,
WHEREAS, this definition more accurately reflects this employee group, and,
WHEREAS, this reference change would have no financial impact on the California Community Colleges, and
WHEREAS, recognizing that the term “staff” is referenced in Education Code this resolution in no way conflicts with those references, but reflects the philosophy of the California Community Colleges Classified Senate (4CS);
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the California Community Colleges Classified Senate encourages the adoption of the title of “Professional” in place of “employee/staff” for all classified personnel in participating California Community Colleges.
Sponsors: Merced Community College Classified Senate