College Policies

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Smoke-free policies at community colleges have evolved significantly over the past decade. What began as designated smoking areas has, in many cases, transitioned into fully tobacco-free campuses. In 2026, community colleges will not only ban traditional cigarettes but also address vaping, e-cigarettes, and emerging nicotine products.

This shift reflects broader public health priorities, changing student attitudes, and updated federal and state guidance. As community colleges continue to serve diverse student populations, their approach to campus health policies offers insight into larger trends in higher education.

The Shift Toward Tobacco-Free Campuses

Community colleges were early adopters of smoke-free policies, but the definition of “smoke-free” has expanded.

Today, many institutions enforce tobacco-free campus policies, which prohibit:

• Cigarettes
• Cigars and smokeless tobacco
• E-cigarettes and vaping devices
• Heated tobacco products

According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, thousands of U.S. colleges and universities now maintain 100 percent smoke-free or tobacco-free policies.

This shift aligns with updated public health recommendations and reflects growing awareness of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure risks.

Why Community Colleges Are Leading the Movement

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to implement and scale these policies.

Diverse Student Populations

Community colleges serve students across age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and life stages. Many institutions emphasize accessible, healthy environments that support both traditional and adult learners.

Public Health Alignment

Most community colleges operate within public systems, making them more responsive to state and federal health initiatives. Policies often align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Campus-Wide Impact

Unlike residential universities, community colleges

Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to return to prison three years after their release if they do not have access to educational opportunities beyond high school, a new study from the Institute of Higher Education Policy has found. In the report titled "Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons," IHEP has determined that providing prisoners with access to college education benefits both the individual and society at large. The report was published this month on the IHEP website, including recommendations for policymakers regarding prisoners currently in the system.

According to IHEP, there are approximately 2.3 million people in the prison system in the United States today, costing taxpayers about $52 billion each year. Without access to any postsecondary education, seven of 10 formerly incarcerated individuals will return to prison within three years of their initial release. Recidivism costs states every year, which is why policymakers must consider instituting programs within the prison system to provide prisoners with the necessary training and education to find jobs after their release.

The Profile of a Prisoner

The IHEP study found many common characteristics of incarcerated individuals vs. the general population today, including:

• Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds than the general population
• Those in prison tend to be from racial and ethnic minorities to a higher degree than the population at large
• Many in prison today were either working at low-paying jobs or not

California is amidst a genuine budget crisis, and higher education students are feeling the pinch just as much – if not more – than the rest of the state. According to a recent report at Mercury News, Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget cuts would trim another $400 million from community colleges and raise student fees by 40 percent. Some predict that the reduction would result in about 400,000 community college students being unable to get the necessary courses to complete their degree programs. While lawmakers continue to debate the proposed budget and its effect on California residents, college students are taking matters into their own hands.

What is Hands Across California?

Hands Across California is the latest organized effort by Ken Kragen, known for his work with Hands Across America, NetAid, and We Are the World fundraisers. Kragen entered the picture to help community college advocates raise awareness of the financial needs of students across the state. According to the Huffington Post, this movement, which took place on April 17, served two purposes: to raise awareness of today's college students' critical needs and to raise funding to support needy students through additional scholarships.

Money raised through Hands across California will go directly to support the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment. The Bernard Osher Foundation, well known for its support of the California community college system, has pledged a 50 percent match to all funds collected.

On April 17, 2011, community college students, employees,

When budgets are slashed, spending is cut along the falling numbers, which is precisely what many community colleges face during today's economic crunch. Unfortunately, programs are often the victims of penny-pinching, with colleges slashing programs in everything from culinary arts to massage therapy. We will take a look at a few of the community colleges across the country that are facing big challenges in balancing their budgets – and who the real losers will be in the long run.

Cutting Programs at St. Charles

St. Charles Community College in Missouri is just one of the schools in this state that is scrutinizing programs to determine which ones can be cut without hurting student opportunities in popular fields. According to a recent Suburban Journals report, SCC plans to delete five associate degree programs from their course catalog next year: massage therapy, environmental science, electronics engineering technology, industrial maintenance technology, and medical transcription. The programs were listed in a review of public and community college academic programs released by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

College officials have stated that the programs slated for the ax have low enrollment numbers, and none have any students currently going through the programs. Michael Banks, SCC vice president of academics and student affairs, told SJ, "These five are not going to impact us and will be gone from the books by June 30." According to school records, none of these programs have graduated students in the last three years. They were

Few would argue that the budgets of most community colleges across the country are pinched to the limit today. The answer to overcrowded classrooms, long waitlists, and decrepit buildings seems obvious: pump more money into the system and then stand back to watch the benefits unfold. However, in a widely publicized construction scandal, the Los Angeles Community College District wasted millions of taxpayer dollars that were meant to improve campuses through poor planning, questionable contract awards, and construction blunders.

While many community colleges continue to face funding challenges, concerns about accountability and oversight remain relevant in 2026 as institutions across the country invest in new facilities and campus improvements. Students exploring higher education options may also want to consider the hidden benefits of starting at a community college.

How it Happened in L.A.

With billions raised through a series of bond measures that eventually totaled nearly $11 billion, the district was clearly poised to bring the community colleges of Los Angeles into the 21st century. According to the Los Angeles Times, the money was supposed to be spent to ease overcrowding in classrooms, improve seismic protections, and add new technology to the learning experience.

It sounded great to Los Angeles voters, which is why they agreed to the proposed bond issues that raised property taxes for decades. It sounded great to the many students who were ready to further their education and professional careers through coursework at community colleges throughout the