Transfers to UC

University of California president Richard Atkinson’s hope that more community colleges will produce students who complete work at a UC campus makes eminent sense (Commentary, Sept. 20). The issue, however, is not simply a numerical one. Better cooperation between the two systems could result also in stronger community colleges. The University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges exist in separate worlds. Increasing articulation agreements and partnerships between community colleges and UC campuses would soften the irritant of a class system where only the best and the brightest high school students can aspire to a world-class education in a world-class university system.

Here at Riverside Community College (student population: 27,000) it is our experience that the highest number of transfers occurs in departments and programs where faculty members have ties with the UC system, either because they are UC graduates or because they are involved in research on a UC campus. If California is to develop and maintain a community college system that is second to none, the UC system should open three centers in the state where part-time and full-time community college faculty could carry out applied research in programs headed by UC researchers. Within these centers, faculty could also continue progress toward a terminal degree relevant to the work being done in the community colleges.

SALVATORE G. ROTELLA

President

Riverside Community College