Student Equity funding was established in the 2014-15 Budget Act to “… ensure equal educational opportunities and to promote student success for all students, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or economic circumstances.” While a requirement has been in place since 1996 that colleges adopt Student Equity Plans, this is the first time that dedicated state resources have been provided to support efforts to achieve the goals reflected in those plans. Together with the doubling of funds for the Student Success and Support Program, this is a valuable investment in the system’s Student Success Initiative to help colleges achieve student success goals for all students.

Here in the North Orange County Community College District, Cypress College, Fullerton College and the School of Continuing Education (SCE) have established Student Equity Committees, composed of faculty, staff, students, and administration. The Student Equity Committees are the responsible bodies for the creation and implementation of the Student Equity Plans. These are comprehensive plans that encompass innovative and promising practices, activities, and resources to address disparity within population groups. The Student Equity Plans have identified trends in student achievement that necessitate modification and restructuring of services to meet student needs and to close achievement gaps in access and success in under-represented student groups. The Student Equity Plans were coordinated with the development of the Student Success and Support Program (SSSP) Plans to ensure that the following Student Equity Success Indicators as defined in Title 5, sections 54220 and 51026, are measured, monitored, and remediated where needed:

• Access
• Course Completion
• ESL and Basic Skills Completion
• Degree and Certificate Completion
• Transfer

Where SCE is concerned, the transfer category is defined as “non-credit to credit transfer.”