Supremacy Clause Toolkit
A supremacy clause is a clause typically found within a student government bylaws and/or constitution that allows the college administration to overtake any and all authority given to the student representatives. Use the toolkit below to advocate for the abolishment of supremacy clauses in SBA governing documents!
S20.03.05 Supremacy Clauses
Sponsorship: SSCCC Region IV
Disposition: Regional Affairs Committee
WHEREAS, a supremacy clause, defined as a clause usually found within a student government bylaws and/or constitution that overtakes any and all authority given to the student representatives at the whim of the college administration;
WHEREAS, in the case of Ohlone College, the supremacy clause previously known as “Article 6” of the Associated Students of Ohlone College Constitution allowed the student government to be banned from campus, have their budget frozen, and their voice as the student representatives of Ohlone College silenced;
WHEREAS, over 10% of California Community Colleges have supremacy clauses within their governing documents and supremacy clauses allow outside influence to corrupt and influence the student’s voice; these clauses also discourage students from pursuing leadership position by their very nature [1]; and
WHEREAS, after witnessing how Ohlone’s supremacy clause was used to silence the student’s voice, other California Community Colleges who have supremacy clauses may be in danger of having their students silenced; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the abolishment of supremacy clauses in the governing documents of student body associations within the California Community College system.
Citation 1: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xvsSmMN3r8wr-dEQmIA7O1QRXNlxjdgnI06CQ5jqYs/edit#gid=0
