For Immediate Release
July 27, 2009

Open Letter to Students From President Thomas Mohr

Despite budget cuts, classroom experience will remain excellent.

Dear Cañada Students,

The faculty, staff, administration and I, desire very much to keep you informed concerning the college actions implemented in reaction to the budget reductions which have been imposed on the community colleges by the legislature of the State of California. You may have read recently that the K-12 schools and the community colleges throughout the state, of which there are 109, are required to assimilate reductions totaling approximately nine billion dollars. At Cañada thus far we have worked hard to reduce the College budget by more than 10 percent while simultaneously striving wherever possible to keep reductions from impacting programs for students.

Our most important priority is to serve you in the best way possible with excellent instruction in every course offering and keep at your immediate disposal appropriate academic support services. Despite the budget reductions, your classroom experience will retain its excellence in every way.

As you prepare to return to the College, or if you are taking classes at Cañada for the first time, it is quite important for you to understand that community colleges statewide are experiencing large enrollment increases due to the substantial cutback in enrollment capacities at all University of California and California State University campuses. The result is that class sizes will be larger and in many general education classes waiting lists developed. The suggestions we make to you are the following:

• Be flexible. Excellent general education classes still have space available in the evening or first thing in the morning. Take advantage of this link https://websmart.smccd.edu/webschedule/default.php
• Be open to different classes. There are many transferable courses available in the morning and evening that may not relate to your major but do fulfill general education requirements. I encourage you to explore new opportunities.
• Talk to your professors and counselors. They are tremendous resources and can help you develop and move forward with an academic plan
• Register early. Remember, by attending Cañada College during the Fall Semester you will earn priority registration status for the Spring 2010 Semester. This will help you gain access to the general education classes you need to transfer.

The faculty, staff and administration are committed to serving your educational needs. We look forward to seeing you on campus, online, or at one of our satellite sites. Welcome to Cañada College.

 

Thomas C. Mohr, President

For more information, contact Robert Hood, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at hoodr@smccd.edu or 306-3340