PCCFA Meeting May 21st—A Storm of Protest!

 

 

Whew!  What a meeting!  PCCFA called for staff and students to attend our regularly scheduled monthly meeting last Thursday, May 21st.  The main topic was to be the budget, and PCCFA Leadership Board hoped to address the college’s plan to cut 12% of its program and lay off scores of faculty, staff, and student workers.

 

Over 80 people attended and expressed outrage that the college was cutting so drastically despite having significant funds in reserve to weather the Sacramento budget storm.   Upon hearing the facts, students in particular were very angry that the college would act in such a cavalier manner, insensitive to increased educational needs during this time of economic crisis.  Who said, “Students are apathetic?”  Indeed, as faculty suggested a petition and possible demonstration at the June 3rd, Board of Trustees meeting, students wholeheartedly endorsed the plan.   Thus a new Faculty /Staff/Student Alliance has emerged to challenge the college’s educational irresponsibility!

 

What can you do?

 

**First, PCCFA encourages all students, teachers, and staff, to sign and circulate the petition.  The petition should be circulated in every office, every classroom, and every work space on campus.

 

**Second, come to an important Planning Meeting Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 Noon to 1 PM to develop both a long term strategy and an immediate tactical plan for the June 3rd  Board Meeting (place TBA).

 

**Third, be at the Board of Trustees Meeting at Harbeson Hall (entrance on Colorado Blvd). at 6 PM, Wed eve. June 3rd to protest the cuts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Facts.  Why should you sign the petition?     

 

Fact:  PCC currently proposes cuts that amount to 12% of program or 250 sections lost over the course of academic year–summer 2009 through spring 2010.

 

Fact:  Twenty-five Part Time Math Faculty have been told they will have no class for fall semester, 2009. 

 

Fact:  PCC has by its own admission more than double the budget reserve required by state statute.  Five percent (for PCC approximately $7million) is required, but PCC keeps approximately $15 million or about 10-11%!  It refuses to touch that surplus. 

 

Fact:  PCC by its own admission has a $22 million (!) in its Self Insurance Fund that amounts to little more than a slush fund to transfer money in and out at the Board’s discretion. It refuses to utilize those funds to offset Sacramento’s cuts.

 

Fact:  PCC’s President has just received Board approval to hire an administrator to assist in running the daily affairs of the college—total costs to the college, $230,000. This hire flies in the face of a recent memo from California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott who advised colleges to freeze administration costs for the indefinite future.  

 

Fact:  PCC currently has budgeted over $200,000 for consultants’ fees for Vision 20/20, a wasteful expense when the college is cutting classes now!

 

Fact:  Consultants’ fees for the proposed high school on campus will be $75,000.

 

Fact: Only a determined effort by all faculty, staff, students, and concerned members of the community will prevent these draconian cuts from being implemented!

 

 

Petition to the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees

No Cuts!  No Layoffs!

 

(Draft)

 

We the undersigned students, staff, teachers, and members of the community demand that the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees expand program offerings and maintain all faculty and staff positions, including those of student workers, classified employees (full and part time), and teachers (full and part time). Thus, not only should there be no cuts in programs or layoffs of employees, but the college should fulfill its educational obligations, especially in these times of economic hardship. We strongly urge the Board of Trustees to make education its top priority and to demonstrate its commitment to PCC’s students, employees, and the community.  Not Cuts!  No layoffs!

 

 

Name                                             Status (student, staff, teacher,             Contact Info

Print            Signature                        member of the community)               (phone/email)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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