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November, 2002, Volume 13, Issue 2 - Privatization: A Disturbing New Trend in Education |
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By Esau Tovar & Laurie Frederic
Over the course of the last several years, college and university governing boards and administrators across the country have began to rethink how business is conducted. On a purely economic basis, decisions are now being made to outsource, privatize, or completely eliminate college services, including those of an academic nature. A most notable example among these decisions is the recent elimination of all counseling positions (full-time and part-time) in May 2002 at the seven campuses comprising the City Colleges of Chicago (the second largest community college district in the U.S.). The governing board of this district has now also outsourced $284 million in their financial services and data processing operations. Also talked about is outsourcing teaching components in business education, computer information systems, and library services. Fortunately, these remain intact at present.
Counselors have been replaced with “registration specialists” who no longer need a master’s degree to work with students. An AA degree is all that is required! While 19 counselors were laid off, the students affected by this shortsighted decision are at a real loss. No longer will students concerns and problems be considered appropriately as concerns/problems of a personal or developmental nature (which impact their ability to be successful in college) arise. Registration specialists or “paraprofessionals” cannot address personal/developmental issues and problems since lack of training and degree would surely create serious liability concerns. Using this purely information-giving approach reduces academic advisement to its most basic level and virtually eliminates essential counseling services. Students who bring any problems or issues outside of pure enrollment in classes will be referred to social service agencies, which are ill-equipped to meet the many personal and developmental needs that are typically present in the college/university student population. These needs are only understood by professionals who have the training in student development theories and applications and are sensitive to the unique characteristics of the urban community college students. If decades of research in student development (Astin, 1993; Brooks, 1997; Chickering & Reisser, 1993; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991; Perry, 1981; Tinto, 1993) prove correct, the success of these students will be significantly impaired.
In an era of significant financial constraints, one is left to wonder what is going to happen next. One thing is certain. Outsourcing, privatizing, and eliminating college services and programs will continue to ensue. Trade organizations (e.g., CSOPHE)* are gaining clout through their lobby efforts with college administrators and governing boards. Fortunately, Title 5 regulates the counseling function of California Community Colleges and would prevent outsourcing at Santa Monica College. However, our budgetary problems and unintended consequences are very real and our students are enduring their impact. Budget cuts at SMC have resulted in eliminating $760,000 in counseling services for the 02-03 academic year. This translates into 11,000 fewer appointments available to students! In addition, several counseling programs have greatly reduced their hours of operation, resulting in fewer services available during evening hours and Fridays. If further budget reductions are imposed on counseling in the coming year, it is quite likely that we will eventually see our internationally known reputation as the number one transfer institution to the University of California system tarnished.
Furthermore, the number of students who graduate from SMC with an AA degree may decline. Many individuals may not be aware that some sources of state funding are based on the number of degrees awarded. The Counseling Department currently sends letters to all students who are close to being eligible to receive an AA degree and/or transfer. These letters invite students to come in and work with counselors to ensure that degree requirements are planned for in their remaining semesters at SMC. Greatly reduced staffing will mean that counseling faculty will no longer provide these additional services. Unfortunately for our students, our college will not realize the importance of these specialized services until it is too late.
In spite of our budgetary situation and the current state of counseling across the nation, we remain confident that outsourcing and privatization of counseling services at California community colleges is unlikely. In the meantime, we will ensure that the needs of our students continue to be met to the greatest extent possible.
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