The Guardsman, Vol. 175, Issue 2, City College of San Francisco by The Guardsman

Students Continue Fight for Affordable Public Transportation Call for State Subsidation By Jade Leonardo charlottejadeleonardo@gmail.com

On Jan.10, student leaders from City College, alongside Chancellor David Martin and members of the administration, traveled to Sacramento to fight to keep a subsidized transportation program available to California college students. Student Chancellor Heather Brandt was there and said there was a lot of discussion and while state legislators understood the need for subsidized public transportation for students, the persistent issue is finding the funding. Students were able to present the idea of subsidized public transportation as a “win all the way around,” for students, colleges, transit agencies, and more – emphasizing that student attendance would improve and stress levels would decrease due to students not having to worry about paying for public transportation. A 2021 study done by Temple College stated transportation is a “barrier to college completion,” and

lowering transportation costs for students is a “promising strategy for increasing the likelihood that students will: remain enrolled one semester and one year later; complete a greater number of credits; and, earn a credential.” City College of San Francisco’s students also attested to the fact that transit agencies could use a “bailout” due to hardships from the pandemic. Students mentioned a transportation program would be beneficial to the environment and overrun parking situations – students would likely take public transportation instead of driving to class, if a subsidized program were in place.

'the students in this program are impacted when they age out' In addition to the trip to Sacramento, City College student leaders presented a resolution to the Associated Students Executive Council meeting

on Jan. 27 where they were able to acquire sponsorship to move to the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC). This resolution is to urge the SSCCC to make subsidized public transportation “a legislative priority on behalf of students at all 116 community colleges across the state.” When asked if the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is actively seeking to work with college administrators on transportation programs for students, Deputy Spokesperson of Communications, Marketing, and Outreach Division Stephen Chun responded that the SFMTA has engaged with several colleges, including City College, over the years to discuss the SFMTA’s Class Pass Program. Through this program, students would pay a semester fee, $128 per student, for a transit pass that covers four months. Transportation continued on page 2

Illustration by Renee Bartlett-Webber

Impact of Layoffs and Class Enrollment The culmination of layoffs and program consolidations have caused major challenges for educators and students alike

By Renée BartlettWebber rbartle8@mail.ccsf.edu

“Class cuts” is a common term during the beginning of the semester because there are often cuts due to low enrollment each

'None of the faculty knew what the college was trying to do with the non credit ESL students. They kept cutting our classes and enrollment, yet our enrollment is not bad.' semester. But this spring, “class cuts” has a much more biting connotation. In the wake of the layoffs of 38 teachers as well as the consolidation of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program last year, the term “cut” stings deeply at City College. Canceled classes can prevent students from reaching their

academic goals. For some, it could discourage them from continuing their education at all, either at City College or any other institution. This in turn could have an impact on the administration because the college is dependent on enrollment for funding and maintaining accreditation. City College is currently under “enhanced monitoring” by the accrediting organization primarily due to financial deficits and a 38% decline of full-time equivalent students (FTES.) The Numbers During this year’s Flex Day, Chancellor David Martin shared that there were 154 fewer credit classes between fall 2021 and fall 2022. Overall, the school gained more part-time students but there are still material losses in the number of classes that students are engaging in. This has resulted in a decrease of 567 FTES, the metric California Community Colleges uses to grant funds to schools. There are many factors that affect enrollment, so further analysis needs to be done. Impact continued on page 2

Photo by Ian Fuller. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfuller/207019976/

Meet the New Trustees at City College Look to Fulfill Their Campaign Promises to Rollback Administrative Takeaways By Renee Bartlett-Webber

rbartle8@mail.ccsf.edu

City College is at a turning point in its history. The school is currently facing declining enrollment, enhanced accreditation monitoring, teacher layoffs and program consolidations. Amidst these challenges, there are now three new faces on the Board of Trustees: Anita Martinez, Susan Solomon and Vick Van Chung were elected as a unit on a platform to roll back some administrative decisions. As candidates, they campaigned to rehire faculty who were laid off and emphasized

restoring the English program. “We’re sad to see that City College has slowly descended into a two-year college for transfer students only, away from the community college that I was always intended to be,” Vice President Martinez said in a video featuring the three candidates. As vice president of the board, Martinez brings 28 years of experience across three community colleges. She admits that, like many new students, she will face a learning curve to get up to speed as this is her first time serving on a board. “I welcome input from everybody, all the campus constituencies, but

the people I welcome input [from] the most are the students, because I was a teacher. We exist as a college for the students.” Martinez encourages students to reach out to her at anitamartinez@ccsf.edu and (415) 239-3921. Trustee Solomon has been an active teacher and union organizer for many years and just recently retired as president of United Educators of San Francisco. She is passionate about facilitating participatory governance to ensure that the college functions for the students. “We were elected to do a job, and so we are responsible to our stakeholders” Solomon said Trustee continued on page 3

Photo credit: https://martinezforcollegeboard.com/"