Abandon ship? Certainly not, despite what some educators would suggest
A recent letter signed by the chairmen of 23 departments at the University of California, San Diego, reminds me of terrifying scenes from the movie "Titanic." Some facing a crisis respond: Save your own skin; push your way into the lifeboat.
The San Diego professors' response to the state budget crisis was to suggest shuttering UC Merced -- and maybe even UC Riverside and Santa Cruz -- to save their own academic skins and direct money to what they consider to be "more worthy" campuses in the University of California system.
Thankfully, UC President Mark Yudof quickly opposed their recommendation, expressing "100 percent" support for UC Merced, the system's newest campus.
Now consider the response of College of the Sequoias' President Bill Scroggins, who has proposed the Central Valley's 14 community colleges unite to apply for federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus dollars, rather than going it alone. President Scroggins correctly notes that working together, valley colleges have strength in seeking funds to support educational programs and responding to shortages.
College of the Sequoias is a member of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium. Established in 2000, the consortium brings together the resources and innovative programs of more than 20 member colleges and universities to help area children and adults obtain a college degree. Other member colleges and universities include Cal State Bakersfield, Bakersfield College, Taft College, Porterville College and National University.
In the wake of today's state budget crisis, this consortium will focus on stretching scarce education dollars for the betterment of Central Valley communities and businesses, as well as the colleges and universities themselves.
California's community colleges and public universities face the worst budget crisis they have ever faced. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been slashed from budgets. Faculty members and staffs have been laid off, and some still are facing upcoming furloughs and pay cuts. Class offerings and enrollments have been cut. Fees have been increased, and student aid reduced, with a threat of elimination. The educational plans of some promising students may be delayed, or derailed. This is not just a personal loss for students. The failure to adequately fund higher education will take its toll on California businesses that rely on the availability of an educated workforce.
But a crisis does not have to become a catastrophe. California's colleges and universities will survive, despite the damaging funding cuts. Committed and talented students still will receive quality educations. And as the state and nation recover from these dire financial problems, California's higher education system will have demonstrated its resilience.
How? They will not abandon their missions of educating the next generation and moving the state forward. They will join together, pooling their resources and talents, and applying for grants to help update technology.
Member colleges and universities in the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium have a nearly decade-long tradition of working together with area high schools to help Californians from all socioeconomic backgrounds to obtain college degrees. Education programs in high schools, two-year community colleges and four-year universities have been coordinated to ease students' advancement through undergraduate and graduate programs. Emphasis has been placed on better preparing students to enter college and succeed.
This same collaborative approach will be used to respond to the state's budget crisis. Whenever possible, resources will be shared. Cross-enrollment will be studied to allow students to take classes in one college, where they may be lacking in another.
Member colleges and universities in the Central Valley consortium will be thinking beyond their individual campuses. On Oct. 8, the chief executives of member colleges and universities will meet at Cal State Stanislaus to develop a strategy for increased cooperation in these difficult economic times.
Cheri Cruz is the executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium.
