Political Struggles Escape Most as Fall Classes Begin

Students roaming the Saddleback College campus on the first day back from summer break seemed more concerned with the tedious tangles of registration than the political struggles that have plagued the South Orange County Community College District.

“I’ve lost track of what’s going on over the summer,” said Scott Lawler, 19, of Laguna Hills, adding that the district fracas--which included threats to its accreditation--is hard to keep up with. “I would never transfer, though,” he said. “I only have a year left.”

The district’s problems include tension between faculty and administrators over the governance of the colleges, political problems triggered by the recall effort involving board member Steven J. Frogue and continuing controversy over an exhaustive 1997 reorganization.

First-day enrollment figures, while still being tallied, are about the same as last year, although early overall enrollment seemed to be falling short of 1997 figures, officials said.

On Monday, Danny Vu, 21, spent the afternoon soliciting student signatures for a petition to recall Frogue, who is accused of making anti-Semitic remarks. Frogue has repeatedly denied the charges. Vu said the relentless controversy has weakened the school’s credibility.

“Parents don’t want their kids coming here because of what’s happening,” said Vu, of Mission Viejo. “And the students who are serious about college will want a better environment than this to study in.”

But for many students, the district squabbling is of little concern unless it translates into a financial crisis that will mean higher fees and tuition.

“I don’t care as long as the fighting doesn’t affect my pocketbook,” said freshman Chris Lake of Laguna Hills.

The turnover of administration and faculty has been high. In the last 19 months, the district and its two colleges--Saddleback and Irvine Valley College--have lost a chancellor, vice chancellor, two college presidents, three vice presidents and several deans.

“It’s taken me awhile to figure out what’s even going on at this campus,” said Jenessa Kenway, 19, of Dana Point.

Some administrators hold out hope that the new chancellor, Cedric Sampson, will be able to turn things around. Sampson was appointed last month after a four-month nationwide search.

There also is a new president at Saddleback: Dixie Bullock was appointed to a two-year post last week after serving since February as acting vice president of instruction.

Antonio Aguilar of San Juan Capistrano, a student activist, says it doesn’t matter who is at the helm of the district or the college until Frogue is removed from the board. If that happens, he predicts a rebound for the school’s reputation.

“Saddleback used to be very well-respected,” he said. “Now, we’re a laughingstock. When you tell someone you go to Saddleback, they say, ‘Oh, that’s where you have that Nazi.’ ”

Kenway was pragmatic in her hope that the district imbroglio would result in a permanent drop in enrolled students: “There’s just not enough parking,” she said with a sigh.

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Saddleback College Enrollment

First-day enrollment figures at Saddleback are about the same as last year, although overall enrollment appears to be down. Enrollment at the college has remained fairly level in the last decade, hitting a peak of 23,586 in 1991. Enrollment, by year.

1998: 20,704

Source: Saddleback College