June 24, 2022
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley issued the following statement on today's Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade:

"Today the United States Supreme Court decided that the Constitution does not protect an individual’s privacy from even the most personal forms of governmental intrusion and coercion.  The immediate effect of overruling Roe v. Wade is that individual states may now restrict abortion rights to whatever extent they wish.  Fortunately, in California, women will continue to be protected, and Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature are leading the way at expanding access to reproductive health services.  However, today’s ruling will likely have devastating public health and socioeconomic consequences nationally that will disproportionately impact women of color and historically marginalized individuals. Pregnancy-related deaths are likely to rise as full access to reproductive health services is curtailed.  We know that unplanned pregnancy can hinder future educational and career opportunities for young parents, further perpetuating poverty.  The implications of this decision for other privacy-related rights involving contraception, same-sex marriage, and other intimate aspects of life will become clear in the coming years.  The Chancellor's Office will continue to be clear in our support for the basic rights that the Supreme Court has called into question with this decision. It is critical that California community college students, staff, and administrators engage fully, peacefully, and lawfully in civic life and do all we can to ensure that future generations inherit the vibrant democracy its founders envisioned.".

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 1.8 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.