SBCC Increases Fees for 30 Continuing Ed Classes

» JustBobF on 08.24.12 @ 08:58 AM

>>> The move now puts the charge on par with other community colleges

Maybe; but, we don’t have to be like “other” community colleges. That’s what makes us different.

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» citizenSB on 08.24.12 @ 09:01 AM

Right direction.

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» Joan Livingston on 08.24.12 @ 10:18 AM

Changes in SBCC Adult Ed started in 2005 when John Romo was President of SBCC, after a major study was undertaken by the CA Dept of Education. At that time the state Chancellors Office issued new guidelines and SBCC undertook the process of greater compliance with those new directions, set out in the state Chancellor’s Office “Non-Credit at a Glance”.

I recommend anyone interested in the history, full context and implications that ultimately changed the direction of adult ed SBCC Adult Ed read the following: http://www.caadultedhistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=book

“Meeting the Challenge - A History of California Adult Education From the Beginnings to the 21st Century” (2005 - CA Dept of Education)

State tax dollar funded non-credit “adult ed” offerings are a function of both K-12 and community colleges. Local agreements determine who will be the primary provider. In this area, SBCC is the local provider of non-credit education. In Ventura, K-12 is the primary provider.

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» Old SB on 08.24.12 @ 11:33 AM

Thanks Joan.  Good information.

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» publius on 08.24.12 @ 02:54 PM

Basically follows through on what SBCC’s last two presidents, Serban and
Friedlander, told the community about what was coming down, statewide, and
was financially required locally.

Not much different from what the former board told the public before they
got voted out, for being too honest.

Economic realities are that the Free Lunch days at Adult Ed are now gone forever, even if the recession ended tomorrow.

Hopefully, some new course structure will emerge that’s locally funded, financially self-sustaining, and priced at a realistic, but reasonable enough
level, to allow truly interested residents to still take such classes.

People who took the same class year after year, because it only cost $10, will
have to decide whether it’s time to try something else, pay more money, or
find some other way to pursue personal education or entertainment.

We’ll see.

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» citizenSB on 08.24.12 @ 04:01 PM

This is really th same plan Serban was trying to implement but the community did not like the tone of her words.
I believe it is the responsibility of the community to educate people so they can lead economically independent live (not on welfare!).  It is not the community responsibility to pay for hobby classes. 
If people want those classes I would reduce Joan’s options to eliminate taxes..  Pay for them or raise directed donations.

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» LookingWest on 08.24.12 @ 06:55 PM

It’s fair to charge what the classes cost—- I do think, however, two things: one, how the fees were decided upon has not been revealed - there seems to be quite a variety in the schedule for, eg. 10 weeks of classes or 25-30 hours. And the amounts are quite surprising, $112 not being an uncommon charge for an art class, plus materials costs.

There’s a 20 student minimum or $2,240; if 30 hours, as some, that works out to $75/hour for the instructor (minus costs of the room). If there are more than the minimum enrolled, the cost doesn’t drop. Does the instructor get paid more? I believe adult ed instructors get paid in the range of $35/hour rate.

Compare the charge for an on campus art class, drawing, for instance, meeting 3 hours/week for 16 weeks.  For 3 units of credit, the charge is $138.00. The art department on campus is outstanding.

For most adult ed classes, the quality of instruction is considerably less, considerably less demanding and with no accountability, let alone credit. 

I would agree that the main focus of community colleges should be those continuing from high school (with the abysmal quality of the preparation of many high school graduates) including both those using it for employment and for transfer to a university/college. BUT why are the charges so much more for adult ed?

Charges at these rates, with a 20 student minimum, are going to end adult ed as it has been known; I hope that is not the intention; it will be the reality.

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» Joan Livingston on 08.24.12 @ 09:24 PM

Lou, as you know only voters decide if they want to tax themselves to support SBCC adult education. If this is what the majority of SBCC district voters decide, then a parcel tax does become a source of local revenue and allows local control over SBCC adult ed.

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» whatsername on 08.25.12 @ 08:08 AM

I’m glad Ms Livingston said that the college needs to “meet it’s obligation” and that SBCC is the sole “local provider” of state-funded adult ed classes. SBCC needs to follow through on their responsibility to, as it says in the mission statement, be responsive to the needs of the community. The college should be careful trying to be like other colleges. 1 - we are better than other colleges, why would we want to be like them? 2 - there is only one district in all of California that does not offer any noncredit, nonenhanced courses - such as parent education or older adult education - for their community. Do we want to be in their company?
As a community college, Santa Barbara City College must be responsive to the needs of the community it serves. That is in the mission statement and an obligation to the local community. If the college decides to charge fees that are cost-prohibitive to the many community members who are not planning on getting a college degree - in other words, the noncredit, nonenhanced classes - then the college is not serving the community well. The state is still reimbursing California colleges for these courses because it believes they are important to the health of the state. True, they are not a priority, but they never were, and the state recommends they be cut back (not cut out completely). 
I hope the college sees the danger in not offering at least some noncredit, nonenhanced courses that are a clear benefit to the community.

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