2008 Woodie Awards
Chancellor Meets With Students
California community colleges' new Chancellor discusses budget with students.
Krista Carlson & LaGina Phillips
Issue date: 3/10/04 Section: News
Newly appointed Chancellor of California community colleges Mark Drummond addressed student journalists statewide at a video press conference Friday. Students from 18 colleges at 16 host colleges focused on budget concerns during the two-hour meeting.
Enrollment growth and compensation from the state for such growth surfaced as a primary concern. As cuts at Universities of California and California State Universities trigger admissions caps, cuts to outreach programs and increased tuition fees, community colleges are expecting a surge in enrollment from the deferred students.
While the growth is inevitable, college officials are unable to determine an exact amount. Although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed allocation for 3 percent growth, Valley College President Tyree Wieder acknowledged that it could reach as high as 11 percent.
"That's not happened before," Drummond said of the redirection of students. "We don't know what some of those students will do." Drummond believes that private and out-of-state universities will also take in some of the displaced students, though costs at such institutions are higher, and therefore, not feasible for every student.
Accompanying the concern for growth is concern for fee increases at the community college level.
"We're essentially paying more and getting less," Drummond said, explaining the funneling of student fees into California's general fund, which do not necessarily return to the colleges even though they generate more money.
"I think they see us as a cash cow," said James Brevard, president of Valley's Associated Student Union.
Chancellor Drummond also addressed propositions approved in the March 2 elections, including state propositions 55, 57 and 58 and at least 20 local bonds that will allocate $16-to-$17 billion to rebuild community colleges statewide.
"Propositions 57 and 58 sort of eased the pain a little," Drummond said, but added, "There's still a lot of work to do with the budget."
Enrollment growth and compensation from the state for such growth surfaced as a primary concern. As cuts at Universities of California and California State Universities trigger admissions caps, cuts to outreach programs and increased tuition fees, community colleges are expecting a surge in enrollment from the deferred students.
While the growth is inevitable, college officials are unable to determine an exact amount. Although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed allocation for 3 percent growth, Valley College President Tyree Wieder acknowledged that it could reach as high as 11 percent.
"That's not happened before," Drummond said of the redirection of students. "We don't know what some of those students will do." Drummond believes that private and out-of-state universities will also take in some of the displaced students, though costs at such institutions are higher, and therefore, not feasible for every student.
Accompanying the concern for growth is concern for fee increases at the community college level.
"We're essentially paying more and getting less," Drummond said, explaining the funneling of student fees into California's general fund, which do not necessarily return to the colleges even though they generate more money.
"I think they see us as a cash cow," said James Brevard, president of Valley's Associated Student Union.
Chancellor Drummond also addressed propositions approved in the March 2 elections, including state propositions 55, 57 and 58 and at least 20 local bonds that will allocate $16-to-$17 billion to rebuild community colleges statewide.
"Propositions 57 and 58 sort of eased the pain a little," Drummond said, but added, "There's still a lot of work to do with the budget."
