College of the Canyons (COC) is expected to pass another resolution reaffirming its support of students protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its desire to find a legislative solution to the topic.
On Sept. 5, the Trump Administration announced that it would rescind the federal program established by the Obama Administration in 2012 which protected “Dreamers,” or those brought to the U.S. as children, from deportation while they attended school or obtained employment with a work permit.
With educational leaders throughout the country expressing concern about the end of DACA—and as the state with the most students protected by the program—COC’s Associated Student Government (ASG) and Board of Trustees is expected to pass another resolution supporting the program during their joint meeting Wednesday.
The resolution follows ASG’s mission to “embody the voice of COC’s diverse student population” as they work to support advocacy efforts at both the local and statewide level.
According to the upcoming agenda, the end of the DACA program is expected to impact an estimated 72,000 California Community College students.
This proposed resolution, titled “In Support of Dreamers,” follows previous resolutions and statements from the Board of Trustees, the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office, COC Chancellor Dianne Van Hook and the COC Academic Senate.
However, this resolution will require the community college district to host an online DACA resource page with translations into Spanish and other languages on its website and then post these resources in media outlets.
It also will require COC to provide professor development for its faculty and staff to better serve DACA students.
In addition, the resolution states that COC will urge the U.S. Congress, California’s congressional leaders, state leaders and local leaders to provide Dreamers with “continued relief from deportation and a path to permanent citizenship.”
Cougars United Program
ASG is also expected to share information about its new program with Strength United, a California State University, Northridge (CSUN) agency that creates programming to provide education and end incidents of sexual assault on college campuses.
Along with the Student Health and Wellness Center and the Athletics Department, the organizations created a “Cougars United” committee comprised of organization representatives, staff, student leaders and student athletes.
During the meeting, ASG is expected to share additional information about the various educational forums, workshops, and outreach activities that are being planned for Cougars United.
Tax Proposal
The COC Board of Trustees is also expected to approve an agreement with the City of Santa Clarita for a tax sharing program to support the First Year Promise Program.
This Use Tax, or tax sharing program, occurs when an out-of-state retailer does not collect the tax for an item delivered to California. When this occurs, the purchasers may owe “use tax,” or a tax on the use, storage of consumption of personal property in California.
In the past, the city and the college agreed to a similar use tax proposal to help fund the construction of the University Center Campaign and to promote economic development in the city.
The partnership between the city, local businesses and the college is expected to help COC raise more funds to expand the First Year Promise Program and increase its access for students.
The program will focus on the redirection of Use Tax revenue to the city to be shared with COC on a 50/50 basis. This means the city will contribute 50 percent of the net new Use Tax revenue to the college as a result of the district’s efforts to confirm the participation of local businesses.
During the five-year agreement, the maximum amount contributed to COC will not exceed $2 million. The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to vote on the approval of this agreement at their meeting Tuesday, according to the agenda item.
Additional Agenda Items:
- Conduct oath of office for new student trustee
- Provide an update on plans to address the loss of parking due to construction on the Valencia campus that include: adjusting course offerings throughout the day, investigating only charging parking during peak demand times, contracting with Lyft and/or Uber for discounted rides and contracting with nearby parking
- Provide an update on the construction on the Canyon Country campus
- Provide an update on the approximately 90 campus clubs and organizations
- Ratify negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Santa Clarita Community College District and the College of the Canyons Faculty Association (COCFA) CTA/NEA
- Present the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 725 Re-Opener Proposal for 2017-2018
- Present the Santa Clarita Community College District Contract Re-Opener Proposal with the Classified School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 725 for 2017-2018
- Conduct second reading and approve of board policies: Grading; The Santa Clarita Community College District; and Selection of Materials and Equipment
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