California Community Colleges

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.

From the guide to the Inventory of the Records of the California Community Colleges, 1959-1998, (California State Archives)