You Oughta Know….# 2

Another issue in the occasional series of explanations from our faculty labor union, The Guild.

"I keep hearing about the California Community College Initiative (CCCI) but I don’t know what it is?"

The California Community College Initiative, on the February 5 2008 primary ballot will:

· Guarantee minimum funding for growth

· Guarantee $15 per unit fees that can only rise with the cost of living

· Guarantee a system of independent community college districts

The CCCI requires minimum levels of state funding for the community colleges and allows community college funding to increase with the growing student population without raising taxes.

"Why do we need this initiative?"

Most public education in California is protected by the state Constitution--K-12, the

University of California and the California State University—the only glaring exception

is the California Community College system. Without this protection by the state

Constitution, funding for the biggest college system in the nation is unstable.

"How will this initiative help me and/or the students at Glendale Community College?"

The CCCI will help all the community colleges and its students by a minimum amount in funding for growth and reducing the fees for students to $15 a unit. The fees can only rise with the cost of living. This will be a great asset to many of our students that are struggling to pay the current $20 a unit fee by allowing them to count a more affordable and predictable student fee.

"So how is this different from Proposition 98?"

Actually, it will end the zero-sum game the proposition 98 splits impose on the community colleges to advocate shifting money from K-12 schools. It ensures that

the promises made by the legislature are kept with a property tax guarantee. It ensures

the fee revenue stays with the community colleges for the improvement of education,

instead of being diverted to other state programs. Basically, it will do for the community colleges what Prop. 98 funding did for public schools-it will stabilize funding for both.

"Does it raise my taxes? How is it funded?

This initiative doesn’t raise taxes and is not a bond. It is meant to stabilize funding by calculating the minimum community college funding guarantee based on community college growth.

"So what can I do to help with the passing of this important initiative?"

Glad you asked! Please help us raise money for the CCCI campaign by writing a generous check to the PQE that will be sent to the campaign. To learn more about the campaign visit the official website at: http://www.californiansforcommunitycolleges.org .