Community Colleges

Re “Not Making the Grade,” editorial, April 1: I agree that the community colleges’ current funding formula is out of date. Please remember that we educate the same students in the same courses as the University of California and the California State University for a lot less cost per pupil.

Let’s look at top-heavy administrative costs that have mushroomed over the last few years with no significant increase in the number of students. In the school year 1975-1976 Citrus College had over 10,000 students; in this present school year, 1999-2000, we have approximately 11,000 students. During that same time period the number of managers has tripled and their salaries have escalated into the stratosphere. Of the 34 managers listed on the current schedule at Citrus College, 30 have higher salaries than the highest-paid instructor, a PhD who has over 35 years teaching experience at Citrus. All the vice presidents, with their six-figure incomes, make almost twice as much as the above-mentioned teacher. Does a top-heavy administration improve the quality of learning for students?

THOMAS R. TEFFT

Chairman, Departments of Art

and Social Science, Citrus College

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California taxpayers should object vigorously to the Little Hoover Commission’s recent criticisms of our low-cost, open-access community colleges. Right now, according to economists Lester Thurow and Thomas P. Kane, a community college academic unit produces four times more economic payoff than a unit taken at UC Berkeley. UC President Richard Atkinson has stated that community college transfer students now do just as well as students who start their careers as high-SAT UC freshmen.

Why are community colleges so cost-effective? The 18-week semesters are longer, class attendance is mandatory and community college instructors feel free to flunk low-performance students. This kind of student accountability ensures a level of internal quality control far above that of our UC and CSU systems. Why can’t the Little Hoover Commission look at California higher eduction as a whole, including our need for a legitimate system of statewide accreditation?

ROBERT OLIPHANT, Exec. Dir.

Californians for Community

College Equity, Cambria