PH Studies courses continue at troubled City College of San Francisco
The staff of Philippine Studies Department, City College of San Francisco. PHOTO BY ROSE PAQUETTE
SAN FRANCISCO, California — A teacher and former officer of the Philippine Studies Department at the City College of San Francisco on July 23 debunked reports that the department is being scrapped reportedly due to lack of enrollees.
“(There is) no (scrapping). Philippine Studies still exists, and thank God, we have six to seven courses offered in Fall 2014,” clarified Dr. Leo Paz, instructor and former department chairman.
Philippine Studies courses offered this coming Fall include Philippine Society & Culture Through Film, the Filipino Family, Philippine History, Philippine Literature in Translation A & B, Filipino 1, and PIL 10A-an Introductory Conversational class, plus an Independent Studies class.
While the department remains in a “struggle-to-survive mode,” Paz said, “The good news is, we’re alive and striving to survive despite the Accreditation challenges. “
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is seeking to strip CCSF of its accreditation this July unless the school comes into compliance with commission standards and eligibility requirements.
According to Paz, the Filipino-American officers at CCSF, currently chaired by Jeanne Batallones, M.S., are vigilant in opposing attempts to downsize, combine with other departments, or cut down the number of sections being offered. Batallones could not be reached as it is summer break, and classes will resume mid- August.
“We need the community’s continued help, voices and support,” Paz stressed, adding, “We request from our community leaders as well, and writers (like you) to please continue keeping everyone informed of these (developments).”
So far, CCSF continues in its struggle to maintain accreditation, and more City and State leaders are more aware and involved in the fight to ensure CCSF keeps going, he said.
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Paz said, “ insists that we have some ways to go to improve but CCSF insists that we are there or very close to being there and that we should get Accreditation. “
Reacting to an earlier report by a leading daily newspaper, the SF Examiner, that ACCJC, which revoked CCSF’s accreditation last summer, reportedly acted inconsistently, lacked transparency and could have given the school more time to meet accrediting standards based on a report by the State Auditor’s Office, Paz said: “This is correct, and in large part this is CCSF’s belief as well — the ACCJC believes we still have more to achieve to retain accreditation.”
Paz also said that the appeals panel ruled that the commission must conduct another assessment of the school.
City College SF students, employees and supporters rally in front of the US Department of Education against recommendation to shut down the school. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
“ More assessment will continue, but the details and time frames are tight and may be affected by a pending court trial,” Paz, a pioneer in the Philippine Studies department, said.
A fall trial date (Oct. 27) has been set for a legal battle between the City College and the ACCJC that will last up to five days and is expected to be tried by a judge and not a jury.
The AACJC has also recommended a new policy that could give CCSF two more years to comply with the accrediting standards, which the Department of Education has approved.
“Believe me, these are cross signals and messages here — CCSF is fighting, waiting and seeing how the problems and solutions develop,” Paz said.
Two weeks ago, a public comment period for the policy was reportedly closed, and commissioners were expected to vote on the final version last week.
“A good amount of public comment was sent in and ACCJC acknowledged receipt of these, and responded with a pro-forma response that these are duly noted, but they have to act and make decision soon,” Paz said.
However, Paz said the department “doesn’t know ACCJC’s final decisions, but CCSF will continue to seek support from City and State leaders to help us should the commission render negative decisions.”
So, is City College in danger of closing?
“Many opposing voices say the ACCJC is not clear in its assessments and not consistent in its actions on CCSF,” Paz said, referring to the Commission spokesman Dave Hyam’s comment saying the (city) auditor’s report, “draws conclusions without the necessary context and without the real expertise of federal law regulations.”
“I personally believe that the Auditor’s report is sound and that ACCJC should heed its admonitions,” Paz said, even as he pointed out that the Philippine Studies department “will continue the struggle and again, request the community’s continuing involvement in and support of CCSF and Philippine Studies.”
Paz said he and his colleagues will inform the community about actions, whom to write, etc., and possible writing points in defense of CCSF and Philippine Studies.
“We will be in touch,” Paz said, “we hope and trust in continued support from the community.”
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