This story was updated June 30 at 5:52 a.m. to reflect the student in the photo is not an actual homeless student.
An assembly bill that requires California colleges to allow homeless students to sleep on campus’s parking lot is taking a pause for 2 years.
“I plan to spend the fall working with the governor’s office to identify ways to more urgently alleviate the struggles that our community college students are facing today, “according to a press release made by Legislative and Communications assistant for the 24th District representative on Sept.3.
24th District representative of Palo Alto, Assembly member Marc Berman, portrayed the urgent need for action to AB 302; others believe AB 302 should be reconsidered.
President of the Citrus College Board of Trustees, Dr. Patricia A. Rasmussen, commented in an email regarding AB 302.
“As a trustee I have major concerns about the safety of our students. It’s likely the surrounding community will also be very concerned.”
Dr. Rasmussen also stated financial concerns regarding AB 302.
“While the homeless issue is problematic, it’s a state issue not a community college issue. This bill will cost the district a lot of money that will not be reimbursed by Sacramento.”
Contrary to Dr. Rasmussen’s statement, Berman explained the bill’s main purpose.
“I’ve said time and again that AB 302 is not a solution to the housing crisis. The long-term solution to the crisis is to build more housing,” said Kaitlyn Curry, Legislative and Communications assistant for Berman.
Berman stated the bill’s main target of alleviation.
“AB 302 is a short-term measure, but it’s something we can do to alleviate the existing reality that too many students are sleeping in their cars every night in unsafe places.”
Curry mentioned Berman’s frustrations towards a newly-implemented requisite amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee stating services won’t apply to colleges within 250 feet.
“I was disappointed to see that amendment, which I strongly disagree with,” said Curry.
Berman believed that the amendment gave allusion to the recipients being “pedophiles” and that they need to be, “kept away from children.”
“They are men and women–many of them barely adults themselves–who are trying to improve their lives by obtaining a better education,” Berman said.
According to a press release from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and The Hope for Community College, Community and Justice released a report that surveyed 40,000 students at 57 community colleges.
They found that 19% of respondents experienced homelessness in the previous year.
“I introduced this bill to provide immediate relief to the thousands of community colleges who are homeless throughout California,” Berman said.
Curry also stated the bill allows freedom towards the institution regarding certain requirements.
“Under AB 302, each community college district would be provided broad flexibility to develop an implementation plan that meets their local needs and circumstances. This includes rules that a participating student must follow when using the overnight parking facilities.”
Specific requirements unstated in the bill are dependent on the college’s decision to accommodate to the students’ needs, even those who are parents.
“The decision whether or not to allow others, including children to sleep in vehicles on campus would be left up to each community college district,” Curry said.
In regards to any damage to cars during hours of operation, schools are able to implement a provision addressing liability for damage, according to Curry.
Berman believe that homeless students pursuing an education should be appreciated for their commitment, even more-so with their on-going struggles finding a place to sleep.
“They should be celebrated, not stigmatized,” Berman said.
For the next two years Berman will proceed to make reforms to AB 302 in order to holistically fit the needs of California colleges and their students pursuing higher education and a place to sleep.
