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As you know, West has expanded its Food Pantry and opened the West Wardrobe to help students obtain professional-quality clothing for interviews and jobs. Our efforts are illustrative of the national concern that is sweeping college campuses, for both two- and four-year colleges are grappling with issues of student homelessness and housing/food insecurity and the impact on students' ability to achieve their academic goals. Consider, for example, this story about a hunger strike at the University of Kentucky, mounted by students who are demanding that the University pay attention to basic needs issues.
At the State level, multiple bills address issues related to student food/housing insecurity or other issues related to basic needs; e.g., AB 302, a bill which would require all 114 California community colleges to provide overnight parking for any duly-registered student (and currently, no funding is attached to the bill).
Locally, the LACCD Board of Trustees is committed to addressing basic needs. At the August 9, 2017, Board meeting, they approved a resolution "in support of eradicating student homelessness and food insecurity" (Section XIII, item BT 5). At a special meeting with local advocates held yesterday (April 3), the Trustees were of singular accord in their desire to build from their resolution and to take active steps to address out-of-classroom issues that impede student success. The underlying theme of the meeting was clear: LACCD institutions will provide support services as necessary and appropriate to address student need. Additionally, there is a stated desire to re-emphasize the "community" in "community college" in the development of partnerships with local and regional social service agencies. Please be aware, also, that the desire to provide student housing on our campuses has not diminished.
As a result, the deliberations of WLAC's wraparound services ad hoc committee (established under the auspices of our College Council) take on a new immediacy, for we must address these issues collaboratively and with the best interests of students in mind. The current schedule provides for a set of recommendations to be given to College Council by the end of the current semester.
At the State level, multiple bills address issues related to student food/housing insecurity or other issues related to basic needs; e.g., AB 302, a bill which would require all 114 California community colleges to provide overnight parking for any duly-registered student (and currently, no funding is attached to the bill).
Locally, the LACCD Board of Trustees is committed to addressing basic needs. At the August 9, 2017, Board meeting, they approved a resolution "in support of eradicating student homelessness and food insecurity" (Section XIII, item BT 5). At a special meeting with local advocates held yesterday (April 3), the Trustees were of singular accord in their desire to build from their resolution and to take active steps to address out-of-classroom issues that impede student success. The underlying theme of the meeting was clear: LACCD institutions will provide support services as necessary and appropriate to address student need. Additionally, there is a stated desire to re-emphasize the "community" in "community college" in the development of partnerships with local and regional social service agencies. Please be aware, also, that the desire to provide student housing on our campuses has not diminished.
As a result, the deliberations of WLAC's wraparound services ad hoc committee (established under the auspices of our College Council) take on a new immediacy, for we must address these issues collaboratively and with the best interests of students in mind. The current schedule provides for a set of recommendations to be given to College Council by the end of the current semester.
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- Other Apps