Policy at the California Community Colleges is predicated on driving innovation and improving affordability. We must move with a sense of urgency, as we are dealing with the lives of more than 2.1 million students who look to us each year for greater opportunities at reaching their educational goals and expanding their economic possibilities.

Federal and state relations and legislative advocacy are critical, and the Governmental Relations Division represents the California Community Colleges at the legislative and executive branches of both the state and federal governments. Policy benchmarks can be found on web pages devoted to State Relations, Federal Relations, and Enacted Bills.

President Biden’s Build Back Better (BBB) Agenda represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a more equitable and sustainable future for America, something that is top of mind for all of us in a post-COVID recovery environment. A key component of the Build Back Better Agenda is America’s College Promise (ACP), the largest expansion of college access and affordability since the enactment of the Higher Education Act in 1965. By eliminating community college tuition and fees for a student's first two years, the ACP would dramatically reduce students' total costs to attend college. As negotiations intensify, we urge you to join us in efforts to ensure its success.

ACP Social Media Toolkit (PDF)

On February 9-11, 2021, Chancellor Oakley, Board President Haynes, Board Vice President Amy Costa, Student Board Member Colm Fitzgerald, the Government Relations Division and the Community College League of California participated in virtual federal advocacy meetings with members of Congress to promote the legislative and budgetary priorities of the California Community Colleges. The following talking points summarize several priorities of our system, including supporting undocumented and immigrant students, expanding and strengthening federal aid programs including the Pell Grant, and providing new funding to expand workforce-training grants, among other issues.

2021 Federal Priorities (PDF)


The Board of Governors provides representation, advocacy and accountability for the California Community Colleges (Ed Code § 70901(b)(4)). The Procedures and Standing Orders of the Board of Governors directs the Chancellor in representing the system on matters pending before the state and federal governments and authorizes the Chancellor to take positions on pending legislation on behalf of the Board, as specified (Procedures and Standing Orders § 317). The following 2021 Legislative Principles guide the Chancellor's Office in engaging in matters before state and federal governments.

 

2021 Legislative Principles (PDF)

Governmental relations staff act as a contact for information between legislative offices seeking information from the Chancellor's Office and for local colleges seeking information on pending legislation and implementation. The following document summarizes the main point of contact for each major policy area.

Staff Policy Areas (Last Updated: 2/25/2020)

Government Relations information is routinely distributed using the listserv:
ADVOCATES@LISTSERV.CCCNEXT.NET

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