Community College Layoffs

Kudos to Garvin, for speaking out against the layoffs of 157 tenured instructors of the Los Angeles Community College District.

In the board’s precipitous action to cut expenses, it has violated the very premise upon which the community colleges were founded--the opportunity to receive a balanced program that enables students to transfer to four-year colleges or train in a vocational area for the work force in two-year occupational programs.

Los Angeles City College seems to have had a disproportionate number of occupational programs eliminated. Most of the students served by that college cannot afford the extremely expensive vocational schools or transportation costs to another college.

While many citizens hail cuts in expenses as a healthy sign, most do not realize how particular programs or instructors were selected for termination. Enrollments are bound to plummet further as a result of the board’s action. The winners will be the community colleges in the outlying areas of Los Angeles.

It is not too late to rescind the layoffs and take constructive efforts to restore our colleges for the purpose they were intended. It takes a great deal of courage to admit mistakes or errors in judgment. The central question seems to be whether or not other board members have gained insight or can admit their mistakes.

LOIS M. BERGQUIST

North Hollywood