Fresno City College has been allocated nearly $3.7 million since 2021 from the state to support its most vulnerable students through basic needs resources. However, as of June 2024, over $2.5 million of these funds remain unutilized, and the college has not developed a comprehensive plan for their application. Under California's AB 132 law, intended to combat rising poverty among college students, colleges are expected to establish basic needs centers. Fresno City College has acknowledged the funds but has not clarified their lack of expenditure, focusing instead on future program enhancements.
Since 2021, Fresno City College has received millions of dollars in state funds to provide basic resources - such as food, housing, transportation and health care - to its neediest students.
The bill passed by the California Legislature has provided tens of millions in ongoing funding for community colleges and public universities to operate on-campus 'basic needs centers'.
Cris Monahan-Bremer, the college's spokesperson, said in an email that the college has "budgeted to reconfigure and expand the Basic Needs Center, hire additional staff, and provide direct services to students."
A general ledger of Fresno City College's basic needs center program obtained by The Bee indicates that more than $2.5 million of its $3.7 million in state funds remained unspent as of June 2024.
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