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State Center Community College District

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
1171 Fulton St
Fresno, California 93721
Phone
(559) 226-0720
School Information
"State Center Community College District (SCCCD) was formed in 1964 when it assumed control of Fresno City College and Reedley College...Total district enrollment for 2019-20 is over 68,000 students. SCCCD is a merit system district with over 2,745 faculty and classified staff represented by the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The total operating budget for SCCCD in 2019-20 was 384.6 million." (Source: https://www.scccd.edu/about/index.html)
General Information
State Center Community College District leadership has already issued a symbolic anti-racist resolution. The SCCCD is considering a formal resolution to advocate for "removing structural and systemic barriers for students, faculty, and other employees; working collaboratively with government agencies, businesses and community-based organizations 'to provide race-conscious decision making in support of Students of Color;' and providing ongoing professional development 'to normalize a culture of anti-racism.'" Student and local activist groups have already indicated the passage of the resolution will not be sufficient. No mandatory Critical Race Training sessions are yet required of students. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • The 2023-2025 SCCCD Trustee Goals and Priorities includes the following admissions priority: "Review practices and policies that structurally perpetuate inequity and create barriers to student access, progress, success, and completion."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • As of January 2022, Fresno City College has advertised a job opening for President. As part of some of the qualifications, "all candidates must have evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices." Additionally, there is a general expectation that the new President advances social justice causes.
Resources
  • David Richardson, a history professor for the State Center Community College District, authored an article titled, "Institutionalizing Systemic Antiracism Racism," in which he criticized the emerging influence of identity politics in education.
  • As part of its "Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunities" webpage, SCCCD provides a list of anti-racism resources including "Addressing Racist Microaggressions," and "U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism."
  • On March 22. 2024, SCCCD's Fresno campus is hosting the "Men of Color Summit" which is described as follows: "The Men of Color Summit is designed empower and motivate high school seniors to strive for excellence. Students will engage in discussions addressing the needs and issues that specifically men of color face, and how those issues intersect with their academic and professional careers."
  • The 2023-2025 SCCCD Trustee Goals and Priorities includes the following hiring priority: "Review hiring policies to ensure policies support and drive fair, effective, and innovative hiring practices...and minimizes implicit and explicit bias that can systematically exclude and/or marginalize minoritized individuals."
  • The 2035 SCCCD Vision/Board Retreat document states, "Together, we create innovative, inclusive, and anti-racist teaching and learning environments at each of our four colleges – Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, and Madera Community College – that are welcoming and student-centered, designed to bolster our students’ social and economic mobility locally, regionally, and globally."
Symbolic Actions
  • The SCCCD is considering a formal resolution to advocate for "removing structural and systemic barriers for students, faculty, and other employees; working collaboratively with government agencies, businesses and community-based organizations 'to provide race-conscious decision making in support of Students of Color;' and providing ongoing professional development 'to normalize a culture of anti-racism.'" Student and local activist groups have already indicated the passage of the resolution will not be sufficient.
  • Reedley College announced its commitment to antiracism and racial justice initiatives.
  • SCCCD states that its "State Center Vision 2035" plan "must also support our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) framework" and that "[a]ll four of our colleges have been acknowledged for their DEIA work by the State Chancellors Office and the Campaign for College Opportunity."
Last updated January 16th, 2024
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