Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.

August 6, 1999

Governor Supports Community Service

Governor Gray Davis has formally asked the University of California to begin working with California State Universities and California Community Colleges toward development of a community service requirement for graduation.

In a letter addressed to Richard C. Atkinson, President of the University of California, the Governor wrote that he strongly supported community service and believes that a service ethic should be taught and reinforced as a lasting value in California. He further indicated that California's college and university students enjoy remarkable benefits from taxpayer-supported system of higher education that is surpassed by none. The Governor wants students to understand, as generations before them did, the importance of contributing to their communities. Thus, Governor Davis is requesting that the three public higher education systems join him in a call to service.

The Governor's call to community service seems to be consistent with legislation that is currently proceeding through the legislative process. SB 919 (Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara) would require the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC), in conjunction with the segments of public higher education, to develop a Master Plan for Service Learning. The bill would require CPEC to complete and transmit a copy of the Master Plan for Service Learning to the policy committees of the Legislature that have jurisdiction over higher education on or before January 1, 2001.

SB 919 expresses legislative findings and declarations to the following extent:

• California postsecondary students have a long and rich tradition of student community service performed as part of a course or tied to curriculum, commonly referred to as "service learning" that should be recognized, commended, and expanded.
  
• There is a growing national consensus that student participation in service learning enhances the undergraduate experience.
  
• Practical learning experiences in the real world are valuable for the development of a student's sense of self, skills, and experience.
  
• California continues to face enormous unmet human needs and social challenges.
  
• The state's ability to face these challenges requires policymakers to find creative and cost-effective solutions, including increased efforts for community and student public service.
  
• Existing community service efforts have successfully demonstrated that participation in public service benefits both participating students and the recipients of their services.

In the Governor's letter to President Atkinson, he simply requested that the UC Regents develop a plan that would establish a graduation requirement for community service. The plan would be developed by the Academic Senates working with their faculty colleagues at CSU and community colleges to create a proposal implementing a community service graduation requirement at all three segments of higher education.

SB 919 provides greater specifics by addressing, but not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

• An assessment of the current service learning opportunities and programs.
• An identification of obstacles to providing service learning opportunities and programs.
• Issues of concern regarding all of the following:
  • Making service learning a requirement for graduation.
  • Linking service learning to academic work.
  • Awarding academic credit for service learning.
  • Financing service learning programs.

SB 919 should reach the Governor's desk for his consideration by September 1999. It is anticipated that the Governor will sign the bill making it effective January 1, 2000.

-- Arnold Bray