2016-36: Issues with Non-Credit Programs and CCCApply

Problem / Issue

One of the issues brought up in the CACCRAO memo from Diane Traversi, College of Marin, was the overwhelming request/need for a separate CCCApply application for Non-Credit Programs across the System. This is not a new issue and as recently as last early 2015 it was requested again to the CCCApply Steering Committee that requirements be gathered for a separate admissions application be developed for this population of students. In 2014, Steering put a sub-committee together to once again look at the Standard Application and see what questions could be removed in order to shorten the length and gear the language/questions towards non-credit students and programs. However, when the sub-committee consulted with Elias Regalado, CCCCO, relative to residency for non-credit students we were advised that creating a separate application would be a waste of time and resources because 90+% of the current questions apply to non-credit students for the purposes of establishing residency. 

Based on what we learned from Elias, many colleges may not be in compliance with this regulation if they are NOT using CCCApply standard application. Colleges that are using a shorter paper application using an online

Concerns we've heard from stakeholders: (e.g., CCC colleges, Steering Committee members, SSSP, CACCRAO, and other CCC departments, programs and organizations) 

• Application is too long for various demographic populations (ESL, seniors, etc.)
• ESL language barriers (not just Spanish-speaking students, but others: Hmong, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.)
• Computer illiteracy

Proposed Solution

Official memo should go out from the Chancellor's Office reiterating the residency requirements for all students.

Notes

As specified in the State of California Education Code, Section 68040-T5 54010, and reiterated in the Residency Overview document updated and published annually by Elias and distributed at the CACCRAO annual conference, residency classification shall be made for all student enrollees at the time they submit an application for admissions.  

RESIDENCE CLASSIFICATION EC 68040; T5 54010
Residency classification shall be made for each student, including noncredit-only enrollees, at the time applications for admission are accepted and whenever a student has not been in attendance for more than one semester or quarter. To be clear, if a student misses at least two, not one, semesters or quarters, then he or she must again go through the residence classification process. Summer or other intersessions are not included in this consideration. However, please note that districts can and some do make new residency determinations for students missing only one semester even though not required by Title 5. Whatever is determined by the district in this regard, including a more restrictive policy, should be included in the districts local rules and policies relating to residency determination and should be uniformly administered for all applicable nonresident students.

Supporting Documentation