City Times — April 26, 2011

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Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

Volume 65, Number 13

News/Calendar.................. 2 Arts.................................. 4 Focus................................ 6 Opinion............................. 8 Sports............................. 12

APRIL 26, 2011

Protest disrupts college summit

Crowd demands summer classes be reinstated By Ernesto Lopez City Times In an attempt to calm the seemingly angry crowd of students protesting cuts to education on April 15, Constance Carroll, San Diego Community College District Chancellor, and City College President Terrence Burgess stepped out of a high profile event held on campus to address the group. “Let us proceed with our event. We are going to have to ask you to leave, this is not the way to get anything done,” Carroll told the pro-

testers demanding summer school be reinstated. City College was the host to US Department of Education’s Fourth Regional Community College Summit, in which college presidents from several western states gathered to identify practices for improving eductional experience for military families and veterans. “I respect the fact that you’re protesting and we share your message, but you are not going to get your summer school by busting this event,” echoed Burgess. “These people cannot do anything for your, we are hosting colleagues.” Students did not leave Gorton Quad as requested by administrators, but demanded a dialogue and to have a voice

in the summit. The event’s luncheon was to be held at the quad but had to be rescheduled to a later time due to the protest. Many students had the understanding that California Gov. Jerry Brown would be present to speak about educational funding. “There are all these corpo- n More rate baboons protest in there, we photos don’t agree with Page 6 their agenda”, said Socialist Club member Marcos Perez. “We are not going to leave, we want answers.” On April 8, Burgess communicated to students via email that due to drastic budget cuts from the state for the 2011-12 school year,

the number of classes offered in the summer had to be reduced. “We are deeply disappointed by this decision,” he said in the apologetic message. “We regret that we are forced to drastically reduce our summer offerings to minimum levels.” He did say the only courses being offered are those for year-round programs that are structured to include summer to meet program requirements, special contractual agreements, and students who have petitioned for summer graduation that need a specific course to complete graduation their

San Diego Community College Presiden Terrence Burgess address students during a protest on April 15 at Gorton Quad, same day the college hosted the US Department of Education’s Fourth Regional Community College Summit. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times requirements. “We want summer school back,” shouted the students at Burgess and Carroll. Student Norissa Gastelum,

who was at the protest, blames politicians and corporate elites for the cuts to education. See Protest, page 11

Retention program targets at risk students Title V campus project aims to make education more accessible with specialized programs By Brian Lett Contributor This month, City College’s Title V Steering Committee is planning on moving into the next phase of its Student Retention for Suc-

cess project, a $3.5 million strategy designed to keep students in the classroom and out of cell blocks. The project, which began late last year, is predicted to take five years in its entirety, the first year of which is com-

prised of five distinct phases of execution. Currently in motion is the “First Year Experience” phase. This phase is dedicated to improving new students’ first year experience by implementing new programs

and institutions fashioned to make it easier for students to access their education. According to the project’s timetable, this month will include mailing welcome letters containing orientation DVDs prepared earlier this

year to new students and parents. The five sections of the program are the First Year Experience, Accelerated Developmental Education, Structured Learning Assistance, Professional

Development, Enrollment Management and DecisionMaking. Each portion of the program will be in effect simultaneously over the next five years. See Retention, page 11


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