Central Management of Community Colleges

Suggesting that the California State University or the University of California systems of governance are models for the California Community Colleges is a simplistic solution to a complex problem.

I have no criticism of the universities’ administrative systems. They were well-suited to their particular needs. However, 106 colleges spread throughout California must be held accountable to the communities they serve. Maintaining accountability would be difficult were college leaders isolated in Sacramento. Nor would local volunteer advisory boards, with little authority, and less control, be able to adequately service the educational needs of students and the community, or manage the complex fiscal concerns of multimillion-dollar operations.

The governing structure of community colleges has existed for many years and done so in a fashion that has produced an admirable record of achievement. The fiscal situation forced upon the institutions by Proposition 13, compounded by an insensitive state government during two administrations, has created circumstances whereby local college districts have had to beg, borrow and plead for every crumb they have managed to receive. Now, some people suggest that the self-same state that created the famine be the agent for managing their emaciated victims back to health.

It was the people who created and supported the California community colleges. The people should not have their right to exercise control of their institutions taken from them.

MONROE F. RICHMAN

President, Board of Trustees

Los Angeles

Community Colleges