The Guardsman The Truth Shall Make You Free
Vol. 18 0, I ssue 2 | S e p tem b er 1 1 – 24 , 2025 | City Colleg e of San Fran c is co | Sin ce 1935 | F R EE | www.th e gua rdsma n .co m
Hidden Perks of the Public Library
Lurie Skips Out on SSC Opening
Rams Football
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Community Unveils New ‘Gateway’ to Campus with Ribbon Cutting By Lev Farris Goldenberg lfarrisg@mail.ccsf.edu
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urrent and former City College community members turned out in droves on Thursday, Aug. 28, to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new “gateway” to campus at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Frida Kahlo Way. The $140 million Student Success Center concentrates 30 student development programs under one roof, including academic counseling, tutoring, career center and transfer center. “Today is not just about cutting a ribbon,” said Chancellor Kimberlee Messina. “It is about opening doors for our students, their families and for the future of San Francisco.” After two years of construction, the two-story, 72,000 square foot building is open for business. According to Vice Chancellor Lisa Cooper-Wilkins, 700 students walked in for services on the first day of the fall semester. On Thursday, students, faculty and local leaders filled the bright atrium, where black and red ribbons and balloons adorned the second-floor railing like bunting on opening day. Just before the speakers took to the podium, the entire football team filed in, sporting Ram red. Behind the dais, the newly refurbished 16-ton black granite statue, “The Whales” — created by Robert B. Howard for the 1939 World Fair on Treasure Island — shone through the windows. Trustees past and present heralded the Success Center's arrival, including District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, who once worked in Conlan Hall, the location's previous, wilting occupant. Chan drew raucous applause when she mentioned another gateway to campus, the Free City program. District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, a former City College Trustee, reflected on the journey it took to get here. STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER continued on page 3
Dr. Kimberlee Messina, Ed.D, Chancellor of City College, speaks at the opening of the Student Success Center. Aug. 28, 2025 (Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman)
California Colleges Launch First Phase of Court Ruling on UC Grant Cuts Sparks Concern Over Future Common Course Numbering By Karla Lopes kcarval7@mail.ccsf.edu
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ity College students are facing significant course changes this fall, including the implementation of the new Common Course Numbering (CCN) system, as well as class cancellations and schedule adjustments. The CCN is a new studentfacing system implemented by the California Community Colleges system, wherein colleges must adopt a common course number for all general education and transfer pathway courses by July 1, 2027. The change is required by Education Code Sections 66725-66725.5, through Assembly Bill No. 1111. The goal is to standardize comparable courses across all California Community Colleges by assigning the same course number. The new CCN system also aims to
Before CMST 1A ENGL 1A ENGL 1C MATH 80 POLS 1 .PSYC 1 Graphic by Tiffany Lam
promote student success, simplify the transfer process to four-year universities and other community colleges, reduce unnecessary credit accumulation, and enhance equitable transfer opportunities by improving credit mobility. Following a three-phase implementation plan, City College began the first phase this fall semester. Additional CCN courses for Phase II (A) will be available by fall 2026, with Phases II (B) and III adopted by fall 2027. The first six new courses with their updated identifiers for Phase I are shown in the included graphic. While it may be too early to fully assess the long-term impact of the CCN transition, some people, like faculty member Jennifer Levinson from the English Department, report a smooth adaptation. “The transition to the new numbering system has felt pretty smooth,” Levinson
Now COMM C1000 ENGL C1000 ENGL C1001 STAT C1000 POLS C1000 PSYC C1000
explained. “In my opinion, the CCN outline for C1000 and our CCSF English 1A course outline are fairly similar. This is why I think I haven't experienced much of a difference.” Levinson has been teaching English at City College since 2005, including the ENGL 1A classes, which, with the CCN, will now be entitled ENGL C1000. Students who have completed the pre-CCN courses in previous semesters will not need to retake them under the new numbering system, as those credits will continue to be recognized. Students interested in enrolling in any of the six CCN courses can access the myRam portal for class registration or review the classes through the searchable online schedule using their new CCN entitlement. The Admissions and Registration offices can also assist students with this process; both of which are now located on the first floor of the new Student Success Center, room 1124. Alongside the transition to the new CCN system, students and faculty report class cancellations and schedule changes that could continue to impact their degree pathway. The Guardsman contacted Admissions and Registration for more clarification on the issue, but received no response by press time.
Funding for City College By Tabari Morris tmorri47@mail.ccsf.edu
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ccording to Erwin Chemerinski, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, the Trump administration had acted illegally when it halted nearly $900 million in research grants to University of California campuses. Judges agreed, saying the decision targeted projects that mentioned “diversity” and bypassed procedures required under federal law. The administration argued the funding cuts were meant to address antisemitism at UCLA. But the court found that officials ignored safeguards under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including requirements to notify universities and hold hearings before cutting funds. According to court filings, the government also tied university agreements to controversial policy demands, such as ending gender-affirming care. Critics said those conditions raised concerns about political interference in academic institutions. Other universities, including Harvard, have successfully challenged similar federal actions in court. UC instead chose to negotiate settlements, a move that drew criticism from faculty members and advocates. They said compromise could encourage further federal pressure, weaken academic freedom and potentially cost UC millions of dollars that would otherwise support students and research. Many UC faculty members and students oppose the settlement. They argue university leaders should defend academic values and push back against what they call government overreach.
Why It Matters for City College Students The ruling has broader implications for community colleges. If federal agencies can withdraw funding without following legal protocols, City College programs such as student support services, workforce training and diversity initiatives could be threatened. Protecting UC's funding, advocates say, is critical to ensuring that City College students also maintain access to the resources and opportunities that shape campus life.