Inventory of the Records of the California Community Colleges

Processed by Aaron Richardson

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 653-2246

Fax: (916) 653-7363

Email: archivesweb@sos.ca.gov

URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/

Inventory of the Records of the California Community Colleges

Collection number: R115

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Aaron Richardson
Date Completed:: August 2008
Encoded by:: Aaron Richardson

Descriptive Summary

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

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

[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.

Administrative History

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Indexing Terms

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.

Records of the Chancellor's Office 1959-1998

R115.1, Box 1-5

Series 1 Board of Governors Agenda 1974-1998

Physical Description: 5 cubic feet

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Scope and Content Note

Bound volumes contain agendas created for annual meetings of the Board of Governors. The volumes document the decisions and activities of the Board during the period covered. The materials also represent the work of the Board of Governors' academic policy, legislation, and budget and finance committees. Volumes include background, analyses, and reports related to subjects such as diversity, affirmative action, faculty qualifications and tenure, intercollegiate athletics, fees, funding, transfer policy, CCC mission, California Postsecondary Education Commission, the 50% law, Title 5 regulations, and AB1725 reforms.

R115.2, Box 5, Folders 1-5

Series 2 Correspondence 1990-1990

Physical Description: 5 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence files were created by the Chancellor's Office and mainly document the activities of Chancellor David Mertes. The mostly outgoing correspondence may provide information on the following subjects: proposed legislation, budget, grants, performance measures, student records, transfer policy, AIDS education, 50% law, AB 1725 implementation, and EOPS special projects.

R115.3, Box 6-11, Folders 1-12

Series 3 District Organization Files 1963-1980

Physical Description: 130 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by county name.

Scope and Content Note

The District Organization files were created in an effort to comply with legislation requiring the inclusion of all territory in the State within a Community College District. Counties and School Districts were thus obliged to submit plans to the Chancellor's Office expressing their intent to either join an existing District or form their own. The District Organization series documents these local decisions and the response of the Chancellor's Office. The decisions were often contentious and led to extended litigation. Files include: background, analysis, reports, redistricting proposals, election results, maps, court briefs, legal opinions, school district meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, letters of support and opposition, and correspondence.

R115.4, Box 17-18, Folders 19-4

Series 4 Reports 1959-1997

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Reports were created by the Chancellor's Office and include such topics as: enrollment, fiscal data, history of the California Community Colleges, governance, the Master Plan, performance measures, occupational education, work-stoppages, and tax-sheltered annuities.

R115.5, Box 18, Folders 5-22

Series 5 Subject Files 1965-1980

Physical Description: 18 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Created by the Chancellor's Office subject files include the following topics: vocational education, admissions, the handicapped, special education, Title 5, tuition, trustees, and California postsecondary education. Record types include clippings, reports, journal articles, analysis, and correspondence.

R115.6, Box 18, Folders 23-27

Series 6 Legislation Files 1970-1978

Physical Description: 5 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Created by the Chancellor's Office. Legislation files include background and analysis on the court case, Serrano v. Priest, as well as several bills related to higher education in California, including: AB165 (1972[JC2]), AB 2337 (1971), and AB 1258 (1976).

Records of the Fiscal Affairs Division 1975-1980

Records of the Facilities Planning Unit 1975-1980

R115.7, Box 12-17, Folders 1-18

Series 1 Community College District Files. 1975-1980

Physical Description: 116 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by community college district name.

Scope and Content Note

Community College District files were created and maintained by the Facilities Planning Unit, which provided capital outlay and local assistance project support to the local Community College Districts. The files document the assistance and support provided by the Unit for the construction and remodeling of new buildings and centers, the maintenance and repair of existing campus infrastructure, the removal of hazardous substances and the equipping of the colleges to meet divergent Statewide enrollment needs. The series contains Five-Year Plans, Preliminary Plan Packages, Project Planning Guides and Correspondence. Files include maps, blueprints, budgets, work plans, estimates, and proposals.