Budget Woes Force Cutback in Courses

Due to budget cuts, the number of courses offered in the summer session at Valley-area community colleges will be reduced by as much as one-third or more, officials said.

Pierce College in Woodland Hills will offer 99 classes over two six-week sessions this summer, compared with 151 courses given last summer over three sessions, a reduction of 34.4%, according to the school’s academic affairs office.

Mission College, which has scheduled one summer session from June 22 through Aug. 1, reports a 33% drop in the number of courses from 66 last year to 44 this summer, said Bill Norlund, president of the Sylmar community college.

“We’re trying to keep within our budget, but we’re going to be offering classes that were the most popular last summer,” said Norlund, adding that all courses offered in the summer session are transferable to four-year colleges.

Compared to Pierce and Mission, Valley College experienced only a 20% reduction in its summer course offerings, 250 last year to 200 this year, said Shannon Stack, director of media services at Valley College.

At Pierce, the first summer session begins May 26 and ends July 2, followed by the second session, from July 6 to Aug. 15. Deadline for enrollment is May 21 and July 2, respectively, for the first and second sessions. For enrollment and other information, call (818) 719-6404.

Students at Mission can enroll through the first week of class, which ends June 26. For more information, call (818) 364-7600.

Valley’s first session runs from June 15 to July 24 and is overlapped by the second session, from June 29 to Aug. 8. Those interested in enrolling at Valley may do so in person from June 8-12 for the first session and from June 15-26 for the second, or by calling (818) 781-1200 Ext. 2253 through June 11.

Fees for summer courses are $13 per unit.