The UC Board of Regents voted Nov. 15 to oppose Proposition
92 in February 2008’s upcoming ballot, an initiative that would benefit
California community colleges by increasing funding by approximately $300 million.
Also known as the Community College Governance, Funding
Stabilization and Student Fee Reduction Act, Proposition 92 would reduce the
college system’s fees by $5 and limit future fee increases to no more than the
cost of living. It would also lock in funding for the state’s community
colleges, regardless of fluctuations in their population, and guarantee the
community college system independence from state politics. But Californians for
Improving Community Colleges, a coalition of educators and community college
organizations, claims that these changes could be enforced without affecting
K-12 funding or raising taxes.
Community colleges aim to prepare students for four-year
colleges while teaching workplace and basic skills such as reading, writing and
mathematics. These institutions account for 70 percent of California’s public
higher education enrollment, and educate more Latino and black students than
the UC and CSU systems combined, according to a statewide poll conducted by Yes
On Prop 92.
Despite acknowledging that the community college system’s
educational mission is “vital to educating the people of California,” the
regents expressed concern for the unintentional effects of the proposition on
“unprotected” state programs run by the UC and CSU systems.
In a statement released by the UC Office of the President,
the board said that the proposition would “lock up” a great amount of the
California’s General Fund, the state’s primary funding source for general
government services including business, transportation, housing and legislative
operations, therefore restricting its spending priorities. California Secretary
of State Debra Bowen estimated that the state would lose $71 million next year,
while the impact in subsequent years is unknown.
Since the proposition does not offer new sources of income,
spending an estimated $300 million on the community college system would
require an increase in fees or reduction of available programs and services.
Although one-third of UC undergraduate students transferred from community
colleges, the regents defended their decision to oppose the initiative, arguing
that the board could not aid one sector of higher education at the expense of
another.
The decision has drawn significant criticism from the
proposition’s supporters, who argue that improving community colleges is vital
to opening up education for all Californians.
John McDowell, political director of the Los Angeles College
Faculty Guild, said that the regents were “flat wrong” to oppose the item.
“California needs to educate more people for the future,” he
said. “Proposition 92 would keep the promise made in 1960 in the California
Master Plan to allow all Californians to go to college.”
Jennifer Wonnacott, official spokeswoman for Yes on
Proposition 92, was also disappointed with the decision, which she said was
“wrong-headed.”
“The proposition is about one thing: giving millions of
students the opportunity to study,” she said. “It is unfortunate [the regents]
could not see the benefits.”
Supporters of Proposition 92 include United Teachers Los
Angeles, California Labor Federation, California State Council of Laborers,
California Federation of Teachers, the Community College League of California,
the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, the California School
Employees Association and the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild. Wonnacott said
the regents’ objection to the measure will not stop its proponents from
continuing to advocate on its behalf.
“We’ll continue moving forward,” she said. “Voters will see
the benefit.”