PCC Does Not Serve Well The Needs of The Northwest Pasadena/West Altadena Community!

By John Whitaker Betances

The leadership of PACCD is largely rife with miscalulation of direction and purpose. Possessing a lack of "community needs" awareness, that leadership has miserably failed to serve the needs of a major portion of the District-wide community. It is time to put the "Community" back in the Pasadena Area Community College District (PACCD), by changing the kind, and distribution, of educational services rendered by PCC!

• Pasadena City College ("PCC") and its Community Education Center ("CEC") are the campuses of the Pasadena Area Community College District ("PACCD" or "District"). The District serves the communities of Altadena, Arcadia, El Monte, La Canada-Flintridge, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Marino, South Pasadena and Temple City.

• The current enrollment at PCC and CEC approximates 29,000 students, of which more than 56% are female. Some 65% of this 29,000 students attend on a part-time basis; suggesting employment and/or familial obligations on the part of these particular students.

• Ethnically, students are: Latino (36%), Asian/Pacific Islander (31.4%), Caucasian (20.5%), African American (7.1%), all others (4.9%).

• As a percentage, only about 35% (approximately 10,000) of enrolled students are from within the District. In 1999, nearly 19,000 students came from outside PACCD, representing a steady 5% increase from figures of only five (5) years previously.

• Little more than 2% of the approximately 29,000 students enrolled and attending PCC are from the Northwest Pasadena /Altadena community that constitutes nearly all of Trustee Area # 3.

• Enrollment of African American students, for example, at PCC has declined more than 10% at PCC, since 1994. This is in direct comparison with a 20% increase for community and junior colleges on a state and national basis.

• While comparable statistical data has not been located for Latino students, it is not unreasonable to surmise it is similar to that for African American students. This is especially the case since both have substantially lower retention (i.e., "staying in school to completion of program") and success (i.e., "graduation") rates than students of other ethnicities.

The facts were derived from data supplied by the PCC Institutional Planning & Research Office. Therefore, this information was readily available to the Board of Trustees and administrative leaders of the college. It would have assisted them in making determinations concerning program priorities and allocation of resources.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The facts presented, while certainly not exhaustive on this topic, clearly indicate the serious need for direct and substantial assistance to students from Area # 3 of the District.

Acknowledging the minimal nature of these facts, it is asserted that they should have triggered the most basic inquiry, minimal research and at least nominal action to redress the situation.

CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN:

The failure to perceive, understand and explore this situation indicates clearly the lack of "community needs" awareness, as related to the Northwest Pasadena and Altadena community, on the part of District leadership.

While only the briefest statement of one part of the case for changing the Board of Trustees' membership, it certainly indicates the degree to which the current Board has neglected and failed in their duty to serve the needs of PCC district communities.

The most obviously damning aspect of this problem is that it is one that has been on-going for years, has been growing steadily worse in scope and extent, and has been visited upon the ethnic minority groups most vulnerable to such neglect: African Americans and Latinos.

It is certainly no accident that these are also the groups which, traditionally, have been the most economically powerless and without major influence in Pasadena-Area politics!

VOTING...THE SOLUTION THAT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE:

This is the first time, in more than two (2) decades, that the citizens of Northwest Pasadena and West Altadena have had a clear and undeniable choice that will affect major change in the status quo.

This is their opportunity to reshape their future, and acquire the kind of collective influence that will change the very nature of their standing in the Pasadena-Area group of communities.

Trustee Area #3 voters must seize the opportunity to work with, and assist, other communities...in "taking back" the control of the most important educational resource available to them.

They must seize the oportunity to correct the inbalance in the distribution of educational resources, controlled by the PCC Board, to district communities.

They must seize the opportunity to have new, innovative and life-changing programs designed, created, and implemented with their need being fully addressed from start to finish.

Trustee Area #3 voters must demand, and accept no less than, the finest and most dedicated representation from their Area's Board member...a person of honesty, integrity, wisdom and strength who will assert and obey "The will of the People!"