Requiring Ethnic Studies at California State Universities (AB 1460)

What is this policy about?

AB 1460 requires undergraduates of California State Universities (CSUs) to complete a minimum of one three-unit course in Ethnic Studies to graduate, effective beginning with students graduating in the 2024–25 academic year.

A modern college educated person should no longer be able to graduate K-12 and college in CA without at least minimal exposure to the intellectual traditions and accomplishments of people of color, if they are to be considered competent professionals in a multiethnic and intersectional society. It is past time to bring our CSUs—the largest and among the most diverse four-year postsecondary systems in the United States— up-to-date to equip students with the critical thinking and social skill sets to serve California and the nation at large.

How does it align with yli’s values?

yli has worked for nearly 30 years alongside California’s youth of color. Our world as we know it simply does not exist outside of the histories and contributions of their communities – and the requirement that all CSU students have a minimal understanding of these histories and contributions is long past due.

What is yli doing about it?

We have just signed a letter of endorsement, and we are voicing our support on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Who else supports this policy?

  • Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber (Author)
  • California Faculty Association (Sponsor)
  • CSU-wide Council on Ethnic Studies
  • Black Lives Matter
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice
  • California League of Latin American Citizens
  • Los Angeles Democratic Party
  • Little Manila Rising
  • Revolutionary Scholars
  • SEIU (CA)

Read the Full Recommendations Here