Reaction to summer school cancellation
District elects to cancel all classes after July 1, wiping out all of LAHC courses.
Harbor Tides Staff
Posted in: News on 5/28/09 at 2:48 PM PST
Students reacted in disgust and anger Thursday to the cancellation of summer classes at Los Angeles Harbor College.
The move was announced late Wednesday night in an email to faculty and staff from college President Linda M. Spink, who indicated that other cuts are surely to follow as a result of the on-going state budget crisis.
"I urge you to encourage students to register for fall semester early before those classes fill up," Spink's memo read.
Meeting late Wednesday, the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees voted to cancel all classes set to begin after July 1 in the nine-campus district and to stop enrolling students in courses scheduled to start before that after state community college chancellor Jack Scott urged the move statewide.
Some LACCD campuses had already elected to start before the deadline. In the past Harbor would have been one of them because it had traditionally run multiple sessions beginning at mid-June.
But this year, because of budget concerns, Harbor decided to host just one session beginning July 6. The move effectively wiped out its entire slate of courses.
LAHC's student body President Esteban Robleto defended the cuts Thursday as a necessary evil.
"I think it's really unfortunate, but seeing the budget crisis it was something that needed to be done in order to make sure we have a full fall and spring semester for all students," he said.
But as the Spring term wound down Thursday on staff appreciation day with pomp, circumstance and a fashion show, few students seemed to agree with Robleto.
"It's horrible," Sandra Cehja, biology said. "My fall semester was planned around me taking a class in the summer and since I can't take it, it puts me behind schedule for my plans for community college."
Francisco Miramontes, liberal arts, said summer school has distinct advantages over traditional hours. The class he needs the course he signed up for to transfer to Cal State University at Dominguez Hills.
"In the summer it goes by fast and the classes are generally harder," he said. "But once you are done you are done."
Faculty also expressed concern.
"The cancellation of the summer PACE program stinks," King Carter, PACE director, said. "In fact, any summer class cancellation stinks."
Geography instructor Melanie Renfro said Harbor may be giving competitors a monetary edge.
"I feel bad for students who have signed up for classes to finish their program and if they go to adjacent school districts to find classes whether it will benefit the other districts or not."
Football player James Taylor, Criminology, pointed out that the loss of summer school may jeopardize Harbor's athletic teams.
"Players need a certain amount of units in order to play," he said. "No summer school hurts our eligibility."
Others have similar complaints.
"I'm upset because as a parent, summer session is important, said GAIN student Elizabeth Delgado, liberal studies. " I was expected to graduate spring 2010 and this delays my graduation date."
Other student comments:
"It's not fair for people who need or want to take a class," Cynthia Murrillo, nursing, said.
"I don't think it's right. It's just unfair," Gabriela Gutierrez, psychology said.
"It is unacceptable since we did not create this deficit, we should not be punished." Bridget Lopez, undeclared.
Evelyn Ayala, undeclared. "It's not right for people who wanted to get out of school sooner."
"It completely sucks, bigtime," Claudia Nufio, administration of justice.
"I am very livid due to the in concurrence and not going to except this easily," Elizabeth Nacassio, undeclared, said.
"It doesn't affect me, but I still feel bad for those who intend on coming," Jessica Corona, nursing said.
"I don't believe my education should be compromised because the economy is doing poorly. I believe education is more important now and this is unfair to students wanting to apply to schools who need their credit." Anam Javed, political science, said.
"It's not fair, but completely understandable. Times are tough. It does ruin plans and is completely inconvenient but compared to the other problems were facing in this recession. I think we can work with this," Amanda Villa, business said.
"It was really discouraging and it sets me back from my goal, and now my fall semester is jeopardized because one of my classes that I needed a prerequisite will not be completed," Cathy Smith, nursing said.
"I need two classes to graduate and they cancelled summer classes preventing that from happening. I need to graduate this summer because I'm getting married in November and I wanted to have my AA done," Katharina Herron, Liberal Arts said.
"It's fair because of the recession, it saves the school some money," Christian Abuloc, undecided said.
"I don't think it's fair for all those that are already signed up. They'll all have to rearrange their schedules. But other than that it's ok," Marissa, child development, said.
"I was going to take volleyball classes since I play volleyball but now I can't since summer school is cancelled, Maria Hernandez, nursing, said.
The move was announced late Wednesday night in an email to faculty and staff from college President Linda M. Spink, who indicated that other cuts are surely to follow as a result of the on-going state budget crisis.
"I urge you to encourage students to register for fall semester early before those classes fill up," Spink's memo read.
Meeting late Wednesday, the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees voted to cancel all classes set to begin after July 1 in the nine-campus district and to stop enrolling students in courses scheduled to start before that after state community college chancellor Jack Scott urged the move statewide.
Some LACCD campuses had already elected to start before the deadline. In the past Harbor would have been one of them because it had traditionally run multiple sessions beginning at mid-June.
But this year, because of budget concerns, Harbor decided to host just one session beginning July 6. The move effectively wiped out its entire slate of courses.
LAHC's student body President Esteban Robleto defended the cuts Thursday as a necessary evil.
"I think it's really unfortunate, but seeing the budget crisis it was something that needed to be done in order to make sure we have a full fall and spring semester for all students," he said.
But as the Spring term wound down Thursday on staff appreciation day with pomp, circumstance and a fashion show, few students seemed to agree with Robleto.
"It's horrible," Sandra Cehja, biology said. "My fall semester was planned around me taking a class in the summer and since I can't take it, it puts me behind schedule for my plans for community college."
Francisco Miramontes, liberal arts, said summer school has distinct advantages over traditional hours. The class he needs the course he signed up for to transfer to Cal State University at Dominguez Hills.
"In the summer it goes by fast and the classes are generally harder," he said. "But once you are done you are done."
Faculty also expressed concern.
"The cancellation of the summer PACE program stinks," King Carter, PACE director, said. "In fact, any summer class cancellation stinks."
Geography instructor Melanie Renfro said Harbor may be giving competitors a monetary edge.
"I feel bad for students who have signed up for classes to finish their program and if they go to adjacent school districts to find classes whether it will benefit the other districts or not."
Football player James Taylor, Criminology, pointed out that the loss of summer school may jeopardize Harbor's athletic teams.
"Players need a certain amount of units in order to play," he said. "No summer school hurts our eligibility."
Others have similar complaints.
"I'm upset because as a parent, summer session is important, said GAIN student Elizabeth Delgado, liberal studies. " I was expected to graduate spring 2010 and this delays my graduation date."
Other student comments:
"It's not fair for people who need or want to take a class," Cynthia Murrillo, nursing, said.
"I don't think it's right. It's just unfair," Gabriela Gutierrez, psychology said.
"It is unacceptable since we did not create this deficit, we should not be punished." Bridget Lopez, undeclared.
Evelyn Ayala, undeclared. "It's not right for people who wanted to get out of school sooner."
"It completely sucks, bigtime," Claudia Nufio, administration of justice.
"I am very livid due to the in concurrence and not going to except this easily," Elizabeth Nacassio, undeclared, said.
"It doesn't affect me, but I still feel bad for those who intend on coming," Jessica Corona, nursing said.
"I don't believe my education should be compromised because the economy is doing poorly. I believe education is more important now and this is unfair to students wanting to apply to schools who need their credit." Anam Javed, political science, said.
"It's not fair, but completely understandable. Times are tough. It does ruin plans and is completely inconvenient but compared to the other problems were facing in this recession. I think we can work with this," Amanda Villa, business said.
"It was really discouraging and it sets me back from my goal, and now my fall semester is jeopardized because one of my classes that I needed a prerequisite will not be completed," Cathy Smith, nursing said.
"I need two classes to graduate and they cancelled summer classes preventing that from happening. I need to graduate this summer because I'm getting married in November and I wanted to have my AA done," Katharina Herron, Liberal Arts said.
"It's fair because of the recession, it saves the school some money," Christian Abuloc, undecided said.
"I don't think it's fair for all those that are already signed up. They'll all have to rearrange their schedules. But other than that it's ok," Marissa, child development, said.
"I was going to take volleyball classes since I play volleyball but now I can't since summer school is cancelled, Maria Hernandez, nursing, said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
William Loiterman
posted 5/28/09 @ 11:36 PM PST
Your useful and timely full headline reports on the agonizing July 6th summer session decision made May 27th by the Board of Trustees meeting at LAHC. (Continued…)
Russian Singles
posted 3/18/10 @ 8:32 AM PST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
Russian Personals
posted 3/18/10 @ 12:33 PM PST
I have read all your article. They good.
Post a Comment