Big things are happening in the world of community colleges, I guess.On Tuesday, Chancellor Raghu P. Mathur spammed the district community (SOCCCD) about President Obama’s “significant announcement” concerning community colleges. Attached were emails, including one from California cc hotshot Scott Lay. Lay laid out Obama’s initiative, which is “aimed at increasing the number of degree and certificate attainees in community colleges by 5 million over the next ten years.”
In an attached Washington Post article, White House officials identify the “heart of the program” as
grants, which will require colleges to compete by designing innovative new programs or revamping their existing curricula. The grants are similar to the "Race to the Top" funding that Education Secretary Arne Duncan has proposed for the K-12 school systems. ¶ "We're going to take a careful look at how well these things work, and only the ones that demonstrate results will receive continued funding," said James Kvaal, a special assistant to the president for economic policy.
The Lay Man couldn’t help but note the cacophony against which this chirpy tune is being played:
Nevertheless, the new federal funds won't be arriving at community colleges in time to save the 250,000 students expected to be pushed out or to stall the deep cuts to student service programs for our most vulnerable students.
Yeah, Mr. Buzzkill, things seriously suck.
On Tuesday, the OC Reg was on the case, reporting that
Orange County community colleges applauded President Obama's pledge today of a $12 billion infusion for job training and other programs even as they acknowledged the struggle they face in balancing budgets in a tight economy.
Some familiar names appeared in that piece. Former Saddleback College President—and current NOCCCD chancellor—Ned Doffoney was quoted as saying that “This landmark initiative will show Americans new ways to re-invent and prosper through the doors of our community colleges. We welcome the possibilities.”
Re-inventing (and prospering) through doors? I like Ned, but he really oughta consult the metaphor mechanics over in the English department before taking his slogans on the road.
The Reg notes that OC community colleges seem particularly dedicated to developing “job skills” programs. That’s where our own Chancellor, a staunch Republican, chimed in:
South Orange County Chancellor Raghu P. Mathur, a former chemistry professor, said career tech is central to the mission of community colleges, and the more funds available to those programs across the nation, the better. ¶ “Only then can we remain competitive,” said Mathur, who helps lead several county efforts on technical education.
Yeah. He’s a leader. And a former chemistry professor. And one of the biggest assholes on the planet.
The Reg describes draconian belt-tightening efforts in local districts. But efforts in the SOCCD aren’t as severe:
Mathur said South Orange County expects to weather the 2009-10 cuts with a combination of spending reductions and a cap on the number of class sections, even as it continues to build its reserves.
This summer, deans have been scrambling to make all of this work for the Fall. And the Spring. (The future: watch some instructors take heat for loading too many students into their already over-loaded classes. Watch students grumble and snipe about not getting into classes. In general, welcome the Fall of Peevitude.)
SOCCCD EXCEPTIONALISM:
As you know, the SOCCCD is not in the same fix as most other cc districts, owing to its “basic aid” gravy train. We’re sitting on shitloads of moola, but, if you think about it, that’s doesn’t mean we should accommodate the thousands of students turned away from UCI, the CSUs, and local community colleges. Everybody hates us because of those basic aid bucks, and it’s just a matter of time before they find a way to screw our pooch. (Plus, potentially, basic aid bucks can undergo significant reduction.) We need to prepare for these possibilities.
Suddenly taking on lots of new students might put us in a real spot, fiscally, when things change down the line. We don’t seem to be doing that.
Some (indeed, many) would look upon SOCCCD Pooch Screwery with glee. Heck, watching us crash and burn and squeal might be enough to kick-start positivity (not to mention “re-invention”) throughout the state. Could be.
Let’s hope Mathur and the trustees know what they’re doing. I guess they do.
It’s a good thing reality isn’t an Ancient Greek play. Otherwise, we’d marry our mother, kill our father, quit our job, and get caught in Argentina with some babe. We’d spend eternity as one of those Geiko eyeballs, blinking at money we ain't got.
As you know, the SOCCCD is not in the same fix as most other cc districts, owing to its “basic aid” gravy train. We’re sitting on shitloads of moola, but, if you think about it, that’s doesn’t mean we should accommodate the thousands of students turned away from UCI, the CSUs, and local community colleges. Everybody hates us because of those basic aid bucks, and it’s just a matter of time before they find a way to screw our pooch. (Plus, potentially, basic aid bucks can undergo significant reduction.) We need to prepare for these possibilities.
Suddenly taking on lots of new students might put us in a real spot, fiscally, when things change down the line. We don’t seem to be doing that.
Some (indeed, many) would look upon SOCCCD Pooch Screwery with glee. Heck, watching us crash and burn and squeal might be enough to kick-start positivity (not to mention “re-invention”) throughout the state. Could be.
Let’s hope Mathur and the trustees know what they’re doing. I guess they do.
It’s a good thing reality isn’t an Ancient Greek play. Otherwise, we’d marry our mother, kill our father, quit our job, and get caught in Argentina with some babe. We’d spend eternity as one of those Geiko eyeballs, blinking at money we ain't got.
