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California's fiscal crisis
Assembly Member addresses budget cuts, Higher Education at Laney
Marlene Hurd
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News
If you didn't know, California is going broke. Fast.
And at a time with record unemployment rates, community college enrollments are soaring as people head back to school during the recession.
Amidst further education budget cuts and potential fee increases, the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) Education Institute (EI) and the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT) sponsored a forum on the State budget at Laney College Jan. 30.
Speakers included California State Assembly Member Sandre Swanson D-Oakland), Debbie Weintraub, PFT president, Jonathan Lightman, FACCC executive director and was moderated Chris Storer, FACCC EI policy committee chair.
Discussions ranged from the state budget shortfall that has expanded to over $41 billion to possible cuts to programs like Cal Grants, which provide financial assistance to the most needy students. Students and faculty were given tools on how to advocate during this economic crisis.
Lightman stated, "It's important that we protect the Basic Skills and Career Technical Education". These are areas where community colleges train students in the most, he said. Lightman also cited a report from the bi-partisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) that recommended fee increases for community college students.
"When we raise fees we lose students," said Lightman, referring to the 175,000 students who left school when fees were raised from $11 per unit to $18 per unit in 2003, or the 130,000 students in 2004 when fees were raised to $26 per unit.
Swanson, who was formerly Student Body President at Laney College in 1970, expressed his appreciation for community college education.
"You're on the frontline to provide accessible education," said Swanson room filled with faculty. "I'm in the State Assembly as a community college graduate and a State University graduate, so I understand the importance of what you do."
"We must encourage students to achieve their full potential," said Swanson, who is Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee as well as a member of the Budget Committee for Education.
Swanson-who was recently elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus-provided advocacy strategies to the audience suggesting, "We must develop an approach to solving the structure problem" with the State Budget.
"The prison budget is ten cents of every discretionary dollar spent," said Swanson. "We spend $46,000 on prisoners with a rate of return of seven out of ten." He supports investing in community colleges, referring to the success of programs where inmates can take courses.
"Anytime community colleges have participated in the prison system, recidivism is reduced and billions are saved," said Swanson." •H•
Managing Editor Reginald James contributed to this story.
And at a time with record unemployment rates, community college enrollments are soaring as people head back to school during the recession.
Amidst further education budget cuts and potential fee increases, the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) Education Institute (EI) and the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT) sponsored a forum on the State budget at Laney College Jan. 30.
Speakers included California State Assembly Member Sandre Swanson D-Oakland), Debbie Weintraub, PFT president, Jonathan Lightman, FACCC executive director and was moderated Chris Storer, FACCC EI policy committee chair.
Discussions ranged from the state budget shortfall that has expanded to over $41 billion to possible cuts to programs like Cal Grants, which provide financial assistance to the most needy students. Students and faculty were given tools on how to advocate during this economic crisis.
Lightman stated, "It's important that we protect the Basic Skills and Career Technical Education". These are areas where community colleges train students in the most, he said. Lightman also cited a report from the bi-partisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) that recommended fee increases for community college students.
"When we raise fees we lose students," said Lightman, referring to the 175,000 students who left school when fees were raised from $11 per unit to $18 per unit in 2003, or the 130,000 students in 2004 when fees were raised to $26 per unit.
Swanson, who was formerly Student Body President at Laney College in 1970, expressed his appreciation for community college education.
"You're on the frontline to provide accessible education," said Swanson room filled with faculty. "I'm in the State Assembly as a community college graduate and a State University graduate, so I understand the importance of what you do."
"We must encourage students to achieve their full potential," said Swanson, who is Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee as well as a member of the Budget Committee for Education.
Swanson-who was recently elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus-provided advocacy strategies to the audience suggesting, "We must develop an approach to solving the structure problem" with the State Budget.
"The prison budget is ten cents of every discretionary dollar spent," said Swanson. "We spend $46,000 on prisoners with a rate of return of seven out of ten." He supports investing in community colleges, referring to the success of programs where inmates can take courses.
"Anytime community colleges have participated in the prison system, recidivism is reduced and billions are saved," said Swanson." •H•
Managing Editor Reginald James contributed to this story.
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Russian Singles
posted 3/18/10 @ 8:31 AM PST
Thanks to author! I like articles like this about title , very interesting.
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