The Student Equity policy adopted by the Board of Governor's in 1992 requires that each community college district develop a plan to address equity on each college campus. The intent of the Student Equity Plan is to define the composition of students who enroll, are retained, transferred, and graduated in comparison to service area populations of adult learners. Contra Costa College utilizes the Student Equity Plan process as a way to examine existing services, to find creative ways to improve our services, and to develop outreach strategies to the under served populations in our service area.
The Contra Costa Community College District is divided into three service areas. Each of these service areas is as different as the students they serve. Contra Costa College (West County) enrolls on an average approximately 8, 500 students; Diablo Valley College (Central County) enrolls 19,000 students; and Los Medanos College (East County) enrolls 9,000 students.
According to the 2000 Census, all of these service areas are growing communities with challenging forecasts. West County communities tend to have lower rates of employment, lower median household income, lower median home values, and lower home ownership rates. The rates are lower than the rest of the County and the San Francisco Bay Area in general.
The County's population in general has become more diverse with various racial and ethnic minority populations, which are increasing faster than the white population. Racial and ethnic minorities make up more than 35% of the County's population today, compared to less than 20% two decades ago. Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group, followed by Asians, then African-American. Over the next ten years, the Hispanic population is projected to increase to 20% (Contra Costa County 2003 Performance Index). West Contra Costa County population is showing a decrease in the African American population, and an increase in white, Hispanic and Asian populations.
Contra Costa College represents the institution of higher education for many low-income, first generation college students, and adult learners referred to us by community agencies and government programs. While these students have traditionally comprised of the majority of our campus population, the 2000 Census indicates that the largest population in our service area is white (57.42%). The second largest is Hispanic (17%). The Asian population (11.28%) surpassed the African American (9.89%) population by 1.39% for the first time. These data present the difficult task for developing an effective Student Equity Plan for Contra Costa College. Contra Costa College's highest enrolled population is African American at 26.69%. The African American population in the service area represents a mere 9.89%. The white enrolled population at Contra Costa College is 20.67%, while the white population is 57.42% in the service area. This information depicts a different ethnic future for West Contra Costa County than that of the County at-large.
The gender comparison of service area population and Contra Costa Community College population is as follows:
|
MALE
%
|
FEMALE %
|
|
CCC 42.07%
|
57.93%
|
|
Service
Area 47.97%
|
52.03%
|
|
Difference - 5.89%
|
+ 5.89%
|
|
Contra
Costa Community College is 6% from a balanced gender analysis.
|
|
The disparity between the service area population, and the campus population has a direct association with the economic, social, and education levels in West County. Contra Costa College's Student Equity Plan addresses the data, and justify
Contra Costa College (West County) enrollment is a biform of whom we serve, and who lives in our service area.
The population in West Contra Costa County communities includes Richmond (pop.99,216); El Cerrito (23,171); El Sobrante (pop.2,260); San Pablo (pop.30,215); Pinole (pop.19,039); Hercules (pop.19,488); Kensington (pop.4,936); Crockett (pop.11,589); and Rodeo (pop.8,717). The total population of these West County communities is 222,631 according to the 2000 Census. Contra Costa College has 41% share of the adult learner population in the County, and 15% share of the adult learner population in the service area according to 2001 assessment conducted by The College Board.
The head count for Contra Costa College Fall 2004 is 8,900. The zip code of 94806, which is in our service area, represents the most diverse zip code in the United States of America (2000 Census Report). As an institution of higher learner, we have been forced to structure programs that meet the needs of all students while creating a support system for those students with limited academic options.
Contra Costa College Student Equity Plan will focus on three goals: (1) Develop an outreach plan to better serve the underrepresented population on campus (Crockett, Rodeo, Hercules, EL Cerrito); (2) Increase student retention/completion rates among African American students; and (3) Execute marketing strategies that promotes the idea that all segments of the community have equal access to programs and services regardless of ethnic/racial background, socioeconomic circumstance, gender, disability, or English speaking.
The Student Equity goals and Contra Costa Community College Strategic Plan 2002-2007, corresponds with program review, college priorities, and Accreditation Standards.
Student Equity activities at the College have been extremely visible over the last three years. Most of the institution's resources, and recent reorganization are aimed at improving its awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge of various cultures. The college also has commenced a program to develop student learning outcomes, and to target community groups for effective feedback from various programs and services. A framework for Student Equity activities is established as a result of the Office of Research and Planning monitoring of enrollment trends and retention by ethnicity in selected areas. The Student Equity Plan will build on these existing activities to ensure effective operational planning for the College. Activities include:
-Promote Cal State Hayward and St. Mary's College transfer/Bachelor's
program offered on campus.
-Inclusions of community residents on CCC Marketing & Community
Relations Committee.
-Advance the coordination among high school faculty and college
faculty.
The focus of implementing activities that will lead to improving Student Equity will be addressed at every level. The recent reorganization of departments, the newly formed office of Communications & Advancement, and the creation of a college-wide Marketing & Community Relations Committee that reflects shared governance and include student participation is evidence of the college's commitment. This committee includes three
community (parents of high school students) members, and operates as an advisory to the Office of Communication & Advancement. The mission statement for the newly formed office is:
The Communications & Advancement office provides leadership
in enhancing Contra Costa College's image and in promoting awareness
and relationships between the College and its constituents.
Resources:
The climate for resources is very restricted. In order to promote a comprehensive Student Equity Plan for Contra Costa College, we must strengthen existing services through developing new approaches and utilizing technology for improved services/outcomes. Resources include the Office of Research and Planning, Office of Communications and Success & Advancement, and the Faculty Senate.
Surveys have been conducted, and results are used to gage student satisfaction and program development. Contra Costa College is moving forward with a sense of responsibility to the students in our service area, despite limited resources, budget constraints, and a reduced workforce. As an institution, we believe that our greatest resources are the faculty and staff who serve our students.
1. ACCESS.
Compare the percentage of each
population group that is enrolled
to the percentage of each group in the
adult population within the community served.
Contra Costa College Office of Research and Planning, on a regular basis, conducts basic research to determine the extent of student equity in the five student success areas described in Section II (Title 5). They are (1) campus climate, (2) course/degree/certificate completion, (3) ESL and basic skills, (4) transfer rates. Student academic surveys were first conducted in Fall 2001. Surveys ask students to respond to various aspects of their academic experience, college services, and facilities as well as campus climate. The Office of Research and Planning maintains data on the five indicators: Access, Course Completion, ESL and Basic Skills Completion, Degree/Certificate Completion, and Transfer. Information collected is used to determine trends, monitor equity, and respond to comments and concerns from both students and the community.
Contra Costa College has a standing campus-wide Research and Planning Committee. Members on this committee includes: The dean of Research and Planning, business office manager, dean who supervises counseling and matriculation, faculty senate president, public information officer, classified senate representatives, coordinator of transfer and career services, and a student. The purpose of this committee is to lead the college's research and planning efforts to ensure quality instruction and student services, and support college-wide and district-wide strategic initiatives based on quantitative and qualitative measures.
Contra Costa Community College Student Equity goal is to assure that all segments of the community have equal access to programs and services regardless of ethnic/racial background, socioeconomic circumstances, gender, disability, or English speaking abilities.
Difference Between Service Area Population and CCC Enrollment
|
Service Area |
CCC |
Difference |
|
|
Hispanic |
17.00% |
23.96% |
+6.96% |
|
White |
57.42% |
20.67% |
-36.75% |
|
Black |
9.89% |
26.69% |
+16.80% |
|
Native American |
0.39% |
0.55% |
+0.17% |
|
Asian |
11.28% |
19.12% |
+7.84 |
|
Pacific Islander |
0.35% |
0.86% |
+0.51% |
|
Other |
8.13% |
8.14% |
+0.01% |
Population Difference by GENDER
|
Service Area |
CCC |
Difference |
|
|
Male |
47.97% |
42.07% |
-5.89% |
|
Female
|
52.03%
|
57.93%
|
+5.89%
|
|
CCC Office of Research and Planning 2004 |
|||
The data indicates the white population (57.42%) is the largest in our service area and represents a negative 36.75% in our enrollment. However, the Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations represent a positive total of 31.60 percent of the enrolled population compared to the percentage of the Hispanics, Black, and Asian populations in the service area. This disparity speaks to the limited options offered to these residents based on academics, economics, and access. Contra Costa Community College has done well with gender equity in comparison to gender data for the service area.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) has a total of fifteen (feeder) high schools to Contra Costa Community College. In the 2003-2004 academic year only two-thirds of the seniors graduated from high school. Fewer than 1 in 4 students are proficient in Geometry, Algebra, English, and Chemistry. The WCCUSD data identifies 18% of white students are proficient in these subjects compared to 5% of African Americans students. For Asian students, the data narrows to 1 in 2; 32% of Asians students are proficient in these subjects. The percentage of Hispanics enrolled in these courses was not enough to produce a percentage for this report (Education Trust-West 2003 Status Report).
The white adult learner in our service area qualifies for various academic options and has chosen not to enroll in Contra Costa College based on these options. Some of these options include, but are not limited to: 4-Year public and private colleges and universities, out-of-state institutions, and high-end technical program training that meet their career goals. The African American, Asian, and Hispanic populations have fewer resources available to them, and access is a true barrier. Thus, they come to Contra Costa College at a higher rate than the white population in our service area.
Contra Costa College has a great relationship with West Contra Costa Unified School District. Vocational and Technical Training collaborations provide access through high school visitation days, a CCC counselor located at the high school on a regular basis, and an annual breakfast meeting with high school counselors on our campus hosted by the
Office of the Vice President. The data driven reality is that many of the adult learners who live in our service area attends Diablo Valley College in Central Contra Costa County.
Students from CCC Service Area who attend DVC
|
Ethnicity |
White |
Asian |
Filipino |
Black |
Hispanic |
N.Am. |
Pacific Islander |
|
Totals |
557 |
326 |
258 |
231 |
212 |
13 |
12 |
CCC Office of Research and Planning 2004
The trend of West County students enrolling at DVC is influenced by an important factor. Students need transportation to commute from West County to Pleasant Hill because there is no public transportation available. Thus, affluent students are more likely to attend DVC.
The Office of Communication and Advancement is creating new approaches and marketing strategies to attract the underrepresented populations in our service area. All students will be recruited through mass mailing to every household in the service area. Also, continuing high school students' visits to the campus is very important. Staff from the college will continue to attend college nights at every high school in the service area.
2. COURSE COMPLETION.
Ratio of the number of credit courses that students by population group actually complete by the end of the term compared
to the number of courses in which students in that group are enrolled on the census day of the term.
Units Attempted and Units Completed by Ethnicity
