Resolution No. 1-S Before the Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District (January 25, 2017) Reaffirming support of Contra Costa Community College District students and employees in defense of diversity and inclusion in the Contra Costa Community College District Whereas, the mission of the Contra Costa Community College District is to "transform lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities, nurturing and empowering all students to achieve their educational goals";
Whereas, equity through diversity is one of Contra Costa Community College District's most defining values as we strive "to provide every student-regardless of race, gender, economic status, birthplace, or style of learning-a launching pad to achieve their dreams";
Whereas, the Contra Costa Community College District community is powerfully diverse, with students, staff, faculty, and administrators all hailing from a wide range of ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds with each community member bringing a unique set of experiences, perspectives, skills, and knowledge;
Whereas, leaders in higher education across our nation cite the "moral imperative" and "national necessity" in supporting undocumented immigrant students, including those who are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA");
Whereas, in the wake of the recent presidential election, the Contra Costa Community College District is fully aware and concerned that there is great fear and uncertainty for many we serve;
Whereas, the California Community Colleges are open to all students who meet the minimum requirements for admission, regardless of immigration status;
Whereas, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has reaffirmed that it will not release personally identifiable student information, including any data related to immigration status, without a judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order, unless authorized by a student or required by law;
Whereas, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has further reaffirmed that it will not cooperate with any federal effort to create a registry of individuals based on any protected characteristics, such as religion, national origin, race, or sexual orientation and recommends that local community college districts adhere to the same principle;
Be It Resolved, that the Contra Costa Community College District police will not detain, question, or arrest any individual solely on the basis of undocumented immigration status, whether actual or suspected;
Be It Further Resolved, absent any applicable laws, no Contra Costa Community College District employee, including police, has the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and, accordingly, shall not participate in any immigration enforcement efforts of federal authorities;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District shall create and implement a policy clarifying that any request made by federal immigration enforcement authorities to access a campus or information regarding a student shall be immediately forwarded to the Chancellor or designee who will review and respond in consultation with the District's legal counsel;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District will not cooperate with any effort, federal or otherwise, to create a registry of individuals based on any legally protected characteristics, such as religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District will not release any personally identifiable student information, including any data related to immigration status, without a judicial warrant, subpoena or, court order, unless authorized by the student or required by law;
Be It Further Resolved, that the Contra Costa Community College District will make available strictly confidential counseling services for undocumented students, including DACA recipients, employees, and their families;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District will increase and strengthen partnerships with trusted community-based and legal services organizations with the objective of providing legal and other resources to students and their families facing adverse immigration enforcement actions;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District will continue to promote an atmosphere of respect for all students and employees and denounce and address hate speech directed at students and/or employees, including immigrants, people of color, Muslims, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of other protected groups;
Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District will support community education and professional development to foster an inclusive learning environment focused on eliminating bias and discrimination and highlighting existing resources for reporting and responding to bias or hate incidents;
Now, Therefore, Be It Further Resolved, the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board recognizes its responsibility to advocate for educational opportunities for all students in the community college system, regardless of immigration status, at the federal, state, and local levels and will do so accordingly.