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Inventory of the Records of the California Community Colleges
R115
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Title: Inventory of the Records of the California Community Colleges
Dates: 1959-1998
Collection number: R115
Creator:
California Community Colleges
Collection Size:
18 cubic feet of textual records
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The California Community Colleges (CCC) records consist of eighteen cubic feet of textual records covering the period from
1959-1997, with the bulk of the record group dating from 1970-1980s. The collection is divided into two sub-groups: Chancellor's
Office and Facilities Planning.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], California Community Colleges Records, R115.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
Records were received in a series of transfers.
California's system of public higher education includes the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU),
and the California Community Colleges (CCC). At present [2008], the California Community Colleges system consists of over
one-hundred community colleges and approximately seventy community college districts throughout the State. Created by legislation
in 1967 (Chapter 1549, Statutes of 1967), it is the largest system of higher education in the world, serving more than 2 million
students. The system is administered by the Chancellor's Office which is responsible for allocating state funds and providing
leadership. The CCC system is governed by the Board of Governors which, within the bounds of state law, sets systemwide policy.
As specified by Section 71000 of the California Education Code, the Governor appoints the seventeen Board members who represent
the public, faculty, students, and classified employees. The Education Code also directs the Board to allow local authority
and control of the community college districts to the "maximum degree permissible."
In 1960, the Master Plan for Higher Education and the resulting Donahoe Act (ACR 88 and SB33, Statutes of 1960) signified
a turning point in higher education in California. The Master Plan directed the UC and CSU systems to limit their enrollments.
At the same time it sought to "provide an appropriate place in California public higher education for every student who is
willing and able to benefit from attendance." During the mid-1960s the California legislature began to work toward the creation
of the California Community Colleges system in order to fulfill the Master Plan's mandate. By the late 1960s studies were
showing that the California Department of Education was not doing an adequate job of leading the junior colleges. As a result
new legislation removed control from the State Board of Education and created the new Community College system now under the
authority of the Chancellor's Office and Board of Governors.
In 1967 the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges began to assume the responsibilities previously held by
the Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. By the time the Board assumed its full authority
in July 1968, it had arranged for the transfer of all personnel and functions from the previous state authorities.
As of August 2008, the California community college districts continue to function as governmental entities overseen by boards
of locally elected trustees with explicit powers and authority. Most of this authority is detailed in Education Code Section
70902, which provides local governing boards with the authority to establish, maintain, operate, and govern one or more community
colleges in accordance with law.
The California Community Colleges (CCC) records consist of eighteen cubic feet of textual records covering the period from
1959-1997, with the bulk of the record group dating from 1970-1980s. The collection is divided into two sub-groups: Chancellor's
Office and Facilities Planning. It is further organized into seven series: Board of Governors Agenda, Correspondence, District
Organization Files, Community College District Files, Reports, Subject Files, and Legislation Files.
The records contain agenda, correspondence, reports, maps, planning guides, financial records, legal briefs, clippings, and
subject files. Topics include community college system-wide programs and initiatives, district organization and reorganization,
facilities planning and financing, student and faculty diversity, state legislation affecting higher education, and the larger
mission of the California Community Colleges.
In this collection researchers will find interesting materials on the history and functions of the Community Colleges system.
Chancellor's Office files contain documentation on the Board of Governors activities throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The
materials provide insight into the disputes, policies, decisions, and activities of the Board during this period. The CCC
records also contain useful information about the administrative decisions and actions of the Chancellor. Subject files,
reports, legislation files, and correspondence may offer researchers useful information about the issues faced by the office
during a time of administrative transition such as district organization, transfer policy, affirmative action and diversity
in higher education. The Facilities Planning sub-group includes the District Organization Files, which document the complex
problem of allocating authority to local school districts faced by the CCC system in the 1970s. Finally, researchers interested
in the physical development of the CCC campuses will find valuable information about buildings and infrastructure in the Community
College District files. Of special interest are the Five-Year Plans, Preliminary Plan Packages, Project Planning Guides,
and Correspondence files.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
California Community Colleges.
California Community Colleges. Board of Governors
California Community Colleges. Office of the Chancellor.