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Two people carry a protest banner back and forth across Colorado Blvd. in a protest with several Pasadena City College students and faculty at Pasadena City College on Thursday. (Tim Berger/Staff photographer / January 10, 2013) |
Pasadena City College students and teachers critical of the school’s leadership held a rally on campus Thursday — the latest in a protracted spat over the direction of the institution.
Dozens of demonstrators on Thursday claimed officials have not done enough to ensure classes are available for all students.
“These people are gutting this college, and that should be of great concern for this community,” said Professor Kris Pilon, a veteran of the school’s screenprinting program. “Students are getting cheated.”
Pilon and others said elimination of the college’s winter intersession, which would have started this week, has decreased student access to classes and disrupted potential spring university transfers.
Board members and administrators have also created “a climate of fear and distrust” on campus by imposing cuts and other changes over the objections of teachers and students, said Assistant Professor of Languages Melissa Michelson.
College spokesman Juan Gutierrez said 70 more classes are being offered in the spring term compared to last year. The college will also add “late start” classes to accommodate transfer needs, he said.
The $6.7-million funding boost from Proposition 30 will allow the school to offer four times as many summer classes as last year, Gutierrez said.
Administrators and faculty union leaders have battled for months in negotiations to replace a labor agreement that expired last year.
The state’s Public Employee Relations Board has since stepped in to mediate, Gutierrez said.
-- Joe Piasecki, Times Community News
Follow Joe Piasecki on Twitter: @joepiasecki
