CCSF nursing student Atina Liu and her daughter attend a hearing in Sacramento to fight for stabilizing CCSF's funds

City College of San Francisco students took an active role in helping save their school when they testified in April at the California State Capitol in support of a bill to stabilize funding and rebuild student enrollment.  Organized by Chinese for Affirmative Action as part of the Move City College Forward campaign, the group included immigrant adult learners and students visiting the State Capitol for the first time.  Students shared  how learning English and building new job skills at the College has improved their lives.

The Move City College Forward delegation was part of a larger group speaking in support of Senate Bill 965, authored by Senator Mark Leno.  If passed, the bill will protect City College from severe declines in state funding as the college works to restore student enrollment and maintain accreditation.

SB 965 passed its first hurdle when the Senate Education Committee, led by Committee Chair Carol Liu (D-La Cañada, Flintridge), voted 7 to 2 in favor of the bill.

Serving nearly 80,000 students – about 1 in 10 San Franciscans and mostly people of color – it is essential that City College keep its doors open. Student leaders, community groups, labor, faculty and administration, local elected officials, and State community college administration all agree that SB 965 must pass.  Without the passage of SB 965, draconian cuts will be required, resulting in programs and classes being eliminated and, ultimately, the possibility of the College closing.

SB 965 still requires approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee, the full Senate and Assembly, and finally the Governor.  As the largest community college in the State, stabilizing City College is not only necessary for San Francisco but for the entire California community college system.

In parallel with the legislative push, additional efforts to support City College continue to make progress. The lawsuit filed by City Attorney Dennis Herrera has a trial date set for this fall, and CAA is working with faculty, staff, and community partners on long-term planning for the College that will prioritize the educational needs of all students.

We invite you to join the nearly 10,000 supporters signed on to support the Move City College Forward campaign.