The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) is proud to represent all 1.8 million California Community College students at the state level. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization derives its authority from Title 5, §50002, which guarantees students “have a formal and effective means for participating in the formation of state policies that have or may have a significant impact on students.”
Three pillars of engagement guide the SSCCC:
- System Participatory Governance;
- Legislative and Policy Advocacy; and
- Regional Support and Development.
The SSCCC participates in the California Community College system governance structures by appointing students to serve on over 25 committees, advisory groups, and task forces with administrators, faculty, and classified professionals. Appointed students are guided by the resolutions passed by the SSCCC Delegate Assembly, positions adopted by the SSCCC Board of Directors, and by the experiences and challenges faced on their home campuses.
The SSCCC engages year-round in California and federal legislative processes. In the fall of each year, the Legislative Affairs Directors develop the legislative priorities for the SSCCC using past priorities, resolutions passed by the Delegate Assembly, current issues, and experiences from students on local student body associations. These priorities include new proposals for legislation and support for existing measures in the state and federal legislative processes.
Through its regional structure, the SSCCC guides engagement with the student-associated bodies in each California community college. Regional Affairs Directors work with student leaders to support and develop regions by collection, custodianship, and implementation of effective practices for students’ leadership and advocacy. The regions also serve as a conduit through which the Board of Directors and other system partners share information about current issues and critical concerns.
