Abstract
This paper describes efforts by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the State Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to implement a state-mandated information literacy graduation requirement. Starting in 1996, there were comprehensive studies and state-wide hearings, leading up to an expected implementation in September 2002. The California Department of Finance vetoed the proposed regulations at the last minute. Insights are offered as to why the efforts failed. A number of California community colleges are now implementing information competency requirements on a local basis.