Last Thursday, CAA had the opportunity to testify in the State Capitol in support of City College of San Francisco. We organized a group of City College students, including some visiting the State Capitol for the first time, to share how learning English and building new job skills have improved their lives.
CCSF nursing student Atina Liu and her daughter appear in front of the Senate Education Committee
Last Thursday, CAA had the opportunity to testify in the State Capitol in support of City College of San Francisco. We organized a group of City College students, including some visiting the State Capitol for the first time, to share how learning English and building new job skills have improved their lives.
This Move City College Forward delegation was part of a bigger group speaking in support of Senate Bill 965, authored by Senator Mark Leno. If it becomes law, the bill will stabilize City College’s state funding for up to three years and help City College rebuild student enrollment and address its accreditation challenges.
SB 965 passed its first hurdle with the Senate Education Committee voting 7 to 2 in favor of the bill. The two votes against were Republican Senators while all the Democrats, led by Committee Chair Carol Liu, voted in support.
Serving nearly 80,000 students — about 1 in 10 San Franciscans and mostly people of color — City College must keep its doors open. Student leaders, community groups, labor, faculty and staff, local elected officials, and State community college administration all agree that SB 965 must pass in order to prevent City College from closing.
Please help us thank the Senate Education Committee members who voted for SB 965 by clicking here.
SB 965 still requires approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee, the full Senate and Assembly, and ultimately the Governor. As the largest community college in the State, stabilizing City College is not only necessary for San Francisco but for the entire California community college system.
Other efforts to move City College forward are also making progress. The lawsuit filed by City Attorney Dennis Herrera now has a trial date set for this fall, and CAA is working with faculty, staff, and community partners on long-term planning for the College that will prioritize the educational needs of all students.
The Move City College Forward campaign now has nearly 10,000 supporters who have signed on to our core principles and we appreciate your support. Please contact us if you’d like to get more involved.
