Open Letter to City College Trustees:
On November 21, administrators unveiled a budget projection showing a “newly discovered” shortfall for 2019-20. This shortfall results in deficit spending of $13M. Any deficit spending over $11.4M puts our reserves below the state-mandated levels and threatens another state takeover. They addressed this purportedly unanticipated shortfall with a series of spending cuts, including the cancellation of 280 classes from the already printed Spring course schedule.
In response to these class cancellations, faculty, students, and community members began lobbying the Board of Supervisors for funds to restore the cancelled classes, and AFT 2121 leaders scheduled appointments to request supplemental bridge funding from the City.
We were stunned and horrified to learn that rather than support our efforts to address the budget shortfall, Chancellor Rocha instead attempted to thwart them by emailing the Mayor and Board of Supervisors to say that the college does not require bridge funding, and that the cancellation of 280 classes the day before registration began was not an emergency measure at all, but simply part of a long-term restructuring plan.
This assertion flagrantly contradicts the rationale the Chancellor gave for these cuts on Nov. 21, suggesting that the “crisis” was manufactured in order to justify the class cancellations. Moreover, this pre-emptive refusal of City funds demonstrates that this Chancellor’s priorities are far out of synch with those of the community you represent, the student body we serve, and the faculty that serves them: While he actively ushers in the junior-collegization of City College, AFT 2121, our students, the people of San Francisco, and you as their representatives have repeatedly rejected this agenda, and vowed instead to fight for the diverse curriculum and the full funding such a curriculum warrants.
We urge you, as guardians of the public trust, to stand with AFT 2121, our students, and the people of San Francisco by passing a resolution that directs Chancellor Rocha to accept any new funds raised and to use those funds only and immediately to restore cancelled classes.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Worley
President, AFT 212
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