California community college students pursuing an associate degree will soon likely have a new course requirement: a three-unit ethnic studies class. This week, the statewide Board of Governors that oversees California's 116 community colleges will hold a public hearing on a proposal to add the class to the community college system's general education requirements. The board is then expected to vote on the change in July. If the board approves the new requirement as expected, it would mean that every student seeking an associate degree will need to take a class in Native American studies, African American studies, Asian American studies or Latina and Latino studies. The state chancellor's office has not yet determined when the requirement would be implemented. The earliest it could take effect would be for incoming first-year students in fall 2022.