Whereas, California Penal Code §2053.1 directs the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to “make college programs available at every state prison for the benefit of inmates” and states that these “college programs shall only be provided by the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, or other regionally accredited, nonprofit colleges or universities,” and consequently, the CDCR “ shall prioritize colleges and universities that… [d]o not charge incarcerated students or their families for tuition, course materials, or other educational components” and “[w]aive or offer grant aid to cover tuition, course materials, or other educational components for incarcerated students” [1];
Whereas, The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Vision 2030 challenges system partners to recognize “the importance of equitable access, support and success while bringing to the forefront equitable socio-economic mobility for historically underserved communities by proactively taking college to them wherever they are: we are no longer waiting for students to come to us” [2]; and
Whereas, Education plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society, yet the financial barriers created by rising costs of higher education, which include student fees associated with obtaining educational materials such as transcripts, can hinder these individuals’ educational journeys and student success [3];
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Board of Governors to adopt and implement a policy, consistent with California Penal Code §2053.1 [4], to grant transcript fee waivers for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students at all California community colleges.
Acclamation
1. https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-2053-1/#:~:text=(a)%20The%20Secretary%20of%20the,goals%20contained%20in%20this%20section.
2. https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/report/Vision-2030-A-Roadmap-for-California-Community-Colleges.pdf?la=en&hash=3B83F5221C4A7A8BEFA7E94D5BCBF540D2718013
3. https://www.ppic.org/publication/keeping-college-affordable-for-california-students/#:~:text=College%20Costs%20Can%20Be%20a%20Barrier%20to%20Access%20and%20Success,-The%20cost%20of&text=In%20a%20recent%20survey%20by,California%20Student%20Aid%20Commission%202019a).
4. https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-2053-1/#:~:text=(a)%20The%20Secretary%20of%20the,goals%20contained%20in%20this%20section