|
Did you think that CPR has
something to do with rescuing someone who needs resuscitation? Well,
guess again! The new definition in California is the California
Performance Review, a statewide “resuscitation” initiated by Gov.
Schwarzenneger as part of his promise to “blow up the boxes” of state
government.
In keeping with
Republican philosophy of cutting government and saving money, the
governor created a top-secret task force to make recommendations about
how to reduce bureaucracy in the state. Among the bureaucracies the
“experts” recommended reducing was the Community College State Board of
Governors. Instead of this group of appointed officials, whose
policy-making impacts all 109 CCs in the state, the CC system would
revert to its ancient status as part of K-12 and be subsumed under the
state Secretary of Education.
Does this mean we go backwards?
Well, most CC
experts, including faculty leaders, boards of trustees and CEOs, have
already weighed in. The portion of the CPR recommendations for our
system known as ETV 03 are a regression into K-12, and remove us from
our role as part of the higher education system of California. (There
are some other, less objectionable, recommendations in the CPR, but the
focus of our CC system has been on the threat to our autonomy
represented by ETV 03).
Efficiency is
great, but not at the expense of quality.
The Glendale
College Board of Trustees recently passed a resolution opposing the
CPR’s recommendation to eliminate our state BOG, thus joining LACCD,
Pasadena, San Diego, Citrus, and numerous other districts who have gone
on record as opposing this particular form of “reform.”
What would it mean
to GCC if the CPR recommendations were to go through? We can’t be
certain, but to lose our own state board of governors, to be served by
an under-secretary of education rather than a chancellor, all bodes
poorly for our continuing battle for recognition as an economic engine
of higher education.
Fortunately, the
negative response of our colleges, faculty, and most legislators may
keep the unfortunate CPR from becoming reality. But the issue is not
dead. Keep informed, because we are not “resuscitated,” but rather are
being drowned in an ocean of political rhetoric.
Most of us favor
reforms that enhance our ability to serve students. The CPR’s
recommendations for our colleges don’t achieve that goal.
&
back to top
|