Episode 30: Rethinking California's Fifty Percent Law

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Chancellor Ron Gerhard and Yuba College President Tawny Dotson.

In April 2025, the State Auditor released an audit report on California's Fifty Percent Law, which limits funding flexibility and restricts colleges from fully investing in critical student support services. The auditor's findings determined that the 50 Percent Law limits districts’ ability to fund services outside of the classroom that may better support student success. 

The Community College League of California released a report calling for reform of the Fifty Percent Law in March 2025. Read the League's report, Modernizing California Community College Funding: Reforming the Fifty Percent Law to Support Student Success.