Be a part of the change!
Help support Santa Monica College and California Community College students!
Origin of This Optional Fee
In October 2019, Assembly Bill (AB) 1504 (Medina) was signed into law, requiring California Community Colleges to collect a student representation fee (SRF) of $2 per semester. This law went into effect on January 1, 2020, and all students who initially register for classes on or after January 1, 2020 will have this fee imposed.
Importance of this Fee
The focus of this fee is to emphasize the role of community colleges in California as a postsecondary institution representing 2.1 million students, in addition to establishing an assurance of the students’ role in the shared governance process. This fee provides and enhances access to governance mechanisms for the purpose of effective representation, accountability, and also improving communication, coordination, and collaborative efforts to organize and advocate on issues affecting California Community College students.
Student Benefits
This optional Student Representation fee of $2, mandated by AB 1504, provides support for student government representatives who may be presenting positions and viewpoints to representatives, offices, and agencies of local, district, and state governments. The Student Representation Fee helps students to advocate for a Community College education.
How the Funds Will Be Used
The fee is divided, with $1 going to the Associated Students, and $1 for use by the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges (SSCCC).
The Associated Students advocates for the students at college by participating in college governance committees, developing policies affecting students, budgeting for events and clubs, and enhancing the overall student experience.
The SSCCC is recognized by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and is the official voice of over 2.1 million California community college students and is focused on pursuing policies that improve student access, promote student success, engage and empower local student leaders, and enrich the collegiate experience for all community college students.
Both the A.S. and SSCCC advocate and represent students before city, county, district governments and offices and agencies of the state and federal government. One example is sending student representatives to Sacramento or Washington D.C. to advocate for solutions for issues faced by Community College students and lobby for adequate tuition and services.
Get Involved!
You represent your voice and you can get involved! The Associated Students (A.S.) of Santa Monica College is also here to empower every student to grow and advocate for their community at the local, state, and federal levels.
To learn more about how you can gain access to the Student Representation Fee fund, contact an A.S. Director.
Specifics on the Fee
Student Representation Fee ($2) will be automatically added to the "Fees Assessment" page in Corsair Connect. Students may opt-out of paying the $2 by clicking the "I want to opt-out" button. If the student wants to opt back in to pay the $2, they must do so through the Cashier’s Office or the Admissions Office to “buy back” the fee.