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Community colleges responding to a survey conducted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office paint a picture of drastic financial distress throughout the Golden State.

Of the 78 colleges responding to the survey, 85 percent indicate that over 472,000 students were on waiting lists, with an average of over 7,000 students per college on a waiting list.

Sixty-four of the responding colleges say they will not offer winter session in the 2012-13 academic year and 13 colleges will cancel summer session in 2013.

There are 112 community colleges in California making it the nation’s largest community college system.

Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott, former PCC president, was pessimistic in an interview on Sept. 11.

“If PCC doesn’t cut classes the college will go bankrupt,” he said. “The state won’t give the college significant [additional] money, but if we don’t train our students now California won’t have the work force it needs in the future?”

Reduction of staff has occurred at 87 percent of the colleges in the survey, with 21 percent being the average staff reduction per college. Part-time faculty cuts were made at 75 percent of responding colleges.

PCC student Sneferu Hines, communications, said he’s worried. “With all these cuts students will not be able to finish their education and life will become a struggle,” he said. “Students dreams and aspirations won’t happen.”

In the midst of drastic budget cuts, President Mark Rocha was more optimistic. “One of the concerns is that the students are scared, but shouldn’t drop-out. Don’t give up hope,” he said.

“All students currently enrolled will be able to get their classes. Maybe not right away but they will get the classes they need for their programs,” Rocha said.

Both Scott and Rocha said they hope that Proposition 30 – a ballot measure on the November ballot authorizing temporary tax increases – passes. “We will get some of this funding back if Proposition 30 passes” Rocha said.

Jason Carman, geology, is looking at alternatives “Some of my friends are thinking of transferring to a private college,” he said. “It might be more expensive but at-least they’ll have their classes. Many are just so frustrated and are giving up on PCC.”

The budget cuts affect almost everyone on campus. Facility maintenance worker Jose Barreto expressed concern for his job and said in Spanish “The students education comes first, as it should, and I’ll leave my job in God’s hands.”

The survey titled “Impact of Budget Cuts Survey Questions” can be found on the Chancellor’s Office website.

 

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