Student Representation Fee (AB 1504)
Student Representation Fee
In October 2019 Assembly Bill 1504 was signed into law, requiring California Community Colleges to collect a student representation fee (SRF) of $2 per semester. This law went into effect January 1, 2020, and all students who initially register for classes on or after January 1, 2020 will have this fee imposed. Students may opt out of the fee, please read below for more information on the fee and how to opt out.
What is it?
It is a mandatory fee that supports student representation efforts at the local and state level.
California Education Code 76060.5 states: “… A student representation fee of two dollars ($2) shall be collected by the officials of the community college… for student representation fees. The money collected pursuant to this section shall be expended to provide support for governmental affairs representatives of local or statewide student body organizations who may be stating their positions and viewpoints before city, county, and district governments, and before offices and agencies of state government...”
$1 of the fee goes to support the state-wide Student Senate of the California Community Colleges (SSCCC), and $1 of the fee goes to the efforts of our own Associated Students of Cerritos College (ASCC) to be used toward representing Cerritos College students at the local and state level.
At Cerritos College the fee covers costs such as:
- Provide effective student representation and participation in state-level community college shared governance and with governmental affairs representatives.
- Leadership and advocacy training, awareness and information. This includes stipends for participation in shared governance processes to learn about and advocate for student issues, and participation in training provided by the ASCC related to shared governance and advocacy.
- Attendance at conferences and meetings of student-centered, non-partisan organizations.
- Advertisements consisting of information about legislative issues of interest to the student body.
- Travel expenses for lobbying and/or advocacy of students.
- Purchasing of equipment and supplies used for lobbying and/or advocacy, including apparel.
- Hosting non-partisan conferences or meetings on legislative issues.
- Attending legislative activities such as the SSCCC General Assembly and the March in March.
- Visiting the offices of local and state elected officials to learn about and advocate for student issues.
Why is it important?
The focus of this fee is to emphasize the role of community colleges in California as a postsecondary institution representing 2.1 million students, in addition to establishing an assurance of the students’ role in the shared governance process.
This fee provides and enhances access to governance mechanisms for the purpose of effective representation, accountability, and also improving communication, coordination, and collaborative efforts to organize and advocate on issues affecting California Community College students.
Your support of this fee ensures your voice can be heard at the local and state level. Examples of current advocacy this fee supports includes:
- Expanded financial aid for community college students
- Expanding outreach and training programs related to intimate partner violence prevention
- Support for increasing the Chafee Grant to support former foster youth’s access to college
Who represents my voice, and how can I get involved?
The ASCC is the voice of the students at Cerritos College. There is a Student Delegate appointed by the ASCC Vice President, who represents the college within the state-wide SSCCC. The Delegate provides an update at each ASCC Senate meeting, held Wednesdays at 2pm in BK111 during the fall and spring semesters.
To get involved in ASCC, please visit this webpage to learn about opportunities. You may also visit the Office of Student Activities for more information.
To get involved in SSCCC, please visit this webpage to learn about opportunities.
Does Financial Aid cover this fee?
Students are responsible for the Student Representation fee. If you do not pay the fee, it is possible that your financial aid (if eligible) will cover the fees upon disbursement. The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) covers enrollment fees only. It does not cover the Student Health fee, Student Activity fee, or the Student Representation fee.
How do I opt out of this fee?
The SRF is assigned at the time of registration, beginning January 1, 2020. Students may opt out of this fee by submitting the “Student Representation Fee Opt-Out Form” which is available online. This form must be submitted to Admissions each semester or summer session you in which you enroll.
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