Assembly bill 955, sponsored by State Assemblyman Das Williams, cleared the Assembly Sept. 1 and is now on the Senate floor for debate.  The Senate Appropriations voted on the bill Aug. 29, 2013.

AB 955 allows Community College Campuses to institute a program allowing them to charge students upwards of $200 per unit, without the ability to apply the BOG Fee waiver.

“These high cost courses were proposed as a solution to giving students greater access to classes; however it only provides a two-tiered privatized education,” said former SRJC Associated Student Body president Jessica Jones.

The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges as well as the CCC Chancellor’s office opposes AB 955.

If AB 955 passes the Senate, effects start Jan. 1, 2014 and stays for six years.

Jones urges students to voice their opinion of AB 955 to the Senate Committee members.  Comments can be made to the following –

Senator Kevin de Leon (Chair)

916-651-4022

Senator Mimi Waters (Vice Chair)

916-651-4037

Senator Ted Gaines

916-651-4001

Senator Jerry Hill

916-651-4013

Senator Ricardo Lara

916-651-4033

Senator Alex Padilla

916-651-4020

Senator Darrell Steinberg

916-651-4006