Dive Brief:
- Pasadena City College's reputation as one of California’s best two-year colleges — and even its accreditation — may be at stake because its faculty and administration cannot get along, according to the Los Angeles Times.
- Outside observers and elected officials blame both sides for the school's troubles, according to the Los Angeles Times.
- Communication has broken down between the president and faculty, and it seems to be getting worse.
Dive Insight:
The Times article says Pasadena’s rift between faculty and administration could be serious enough to threaten accreditation, but it lacks evidence to back up that point. Faculty critics of President Mark Rocha say he fails to consult them on major decisions, which is supposed to be the school’s policy. The faculty have held two no-confidence votes against him and are considering a third. Rocha says faculty have resisted and are more interested in their comfort than in offering courses students need for graduation, or that are at convenient times for the students.
One measure of success for Pasadena City College: Nearly 30% of its students transfer to a four-year college or university within four years, which is about 5% higher than average in California. But full-time enrollment dropped from a peak of 30,000 in the fall of 2010 to 26,000 three years later — a 13% decline, compared to 10% for community colleges statewide.