The state chancellor, Jack Scott, withdrew his support for the rally after the state legislature passed a budget favorable to community colleges, according to The Clarion Online, student newspaper at Citrus College. Other community colleges, including Citrus, also chose not to partipate.
Read the Clarion's article here.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Cynthia Damboise
Cynthia Damboise, nurse manager at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills
Video by John Ayers
Adrianna Ortiz
Adrianna Ortiz, green technology student at Rio Hondo Community College
Video by John Ayers
Monday, March 2, 2009
Fullerton Attends the Rally
Fullerton College student body president Rajan Vaidya and senator Jesse Saunders appreciated the positive approach taken at the rally.
“The last thing we want to do is complain,” said Saunders. “Other systems have it worse than us.”
“That’s why we’re out here, because we have it pretty cheap,” said Vaidya. “New Mexico is twice as expensive.”
They’re concerned that in subsequent revisions to the budget legislators may once again be tempted to cut community college funding and raise enrollment fees, bringing them closer to what students pay at community colleges in other states.
That would be a mistake, according to Saunders.
“Community colleges are so necessary,” he said. “It is the way for some people to make it.”
--Chris Haire
“The last thing we want to do is complain,” said Saunders. “Other systems have it worse than us.”
“That’s why we’re out here, because we have it pretty cheap,” said Vaidya. “New Mexico is twice as expensive.”
They’re concerned that in subsequent revisions to the budget legislators may once again be tempted to cut community college funding and raise enrollment fees, bringing them closer to what students pay at community colleges in other states.
That would be a mistake, according to Saunders.
“Community colleges are so necessary,” he said. “It is the way for some people to make it.”
--Chris Haire
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Ahmad Lewis
Ahmad Lewis made a convincing case for the value of a community college education when he spoke at today's rally. After storybook success as a rapper, including a gold album at the age of 17, he went back to school at Long Beach City College, graduated in 2008 as a valedictorian, and transferred to Stanford.
And he's willing to share his secret of academic success:
"You know how you get into Stanford? You turn in that one paper due tomorrow on time."
From South Central L.A. to Stanford
Video by John Ayers
President Perfumo Welcomes Students
Paulette Perfumo, President of Pasadena City College
Video by John Ayers
Friday, February 27, 2009
Protest or Celebration?
Today's rally was originally intended as a protest against planned cuts in community college funding, but last week the state legislature, in a rather unusual move, passed next year's budget several months early, and it is surprisingly generous to community colleges given the cuts being made in other areas.
In a quick about-face, the rally became a celebration of community colleges and a thank you to the state for having recognized the contribution community colleges can make to California's economic recovery.
Speakers nonetheless mentioned economic hardships their schools continue to suffer, and a group of students from West Los Angeles College interrupted Dat Phan's routine with the chant, "They say 'cut back,' we say 'fight back!'"
They later expressed concerned that the budget, which seems like a good deal for community colleges now, will be revised in May. That's the month in which the governor usually presents revisions to the proposal he's required to present to the legislature in January. It's also the month voters will either approve or disapprove of the state's plan to borrow against lottery monies.
We Need More Funding
Paulette Perfumo, president of Pasadena City College, told the Hornet that today’s rally is meant to hammer home the message that community colleges can make an important contribution to solving California’s financial woes.
“We are the key to economic recovery,” she said.
“There is soaring unemployment, and those people are coming to us for retraining. While we were glad the cuts weren’t deeper, there were cuts and at a time of soaring enrollment, we need more funding.”
--Chris Haire
Friday, February 20, 2009
Welcome to the Hornet's Coverage of "We Are the Key"
Comedian Dat Phan will entertain students from southern California colleges at a rally at Pasadena City College this Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
The rally is the brainchild of the Community Colleges Public Relations Organization which wants to put out the message that community colleges are the key to California's economic recovery.
"This is a celebration of what we do," said Juan Gutierrez, director of public relations at Pasadena City College, which is hosting the event.
Students will gather in the mirror pool area. Attend the rally at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., or follow the rally here.
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