The San Matean

Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Spin Cycle

When I first saw the list of proposed cuts to departments and programs I was dismayed; I felt lost in the woods. I knew it meant that excellent teachers would no longer be teaching their students. Then last Friday there was an all college faculty meeting. I was heartened to hear my colleagues' eloquence, anger, and humor. We have an outstanding faculty. As a result I have thought and written a lot. I have also talked with my beloved colleagues a great deal. And I am optimistic; it's an optimism bred of opportunity. The list allows us talk about hard things (but it's only a first step). We know we can't stay the same because we are in a drought that may last years. Let's take this opportunity to ask what kind of institution College of San Mateo will become. The first step is to clarify our mission. But to achieve this we need to see the whole forest instead of only looking at specific trees. We must determine what is needed for the overall, long-term health of the forest. The list looks only at which individual trees could be cut. We need a vision of the healthy forest we can become. Before we decide on clear-cutting some easy to reach programs, we should ask "what does our forest need to survive in the long run?" If we don't have that clearly in mind, we miss the opportunity to make changes which will allow the forest to survive not only during this long drought, but to flourish once the rains return. Next we need to look at the district level not merely the college level. Our students see College of San Mateo from the classrooms and parking lots. Any change in the numbers of classes or programs is felt directly. It's like clear-cutting the part of the forest which the public initially sees in the park. There may, however, be creative ways to save many of the proposed cuts to classes by eliminating redundant administration on three separate campuses: one college with three campuses for example. When it does come down to cutting classes, and it will, we need to know what our mission is. Who are our students? Who can we best serve and when? To make thoughtful cuts we need to know the actual costs of providing students these classes. We need to know more than merely the savings in faculty salaries as shown on the list. We need to know the ACTUAL costs to educate students in each and every program. Only then can we make meaningful comparisons and rational choices in line with our mission. Philosophers ask "if a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear?" The answer is Yes! And each tree matters. - Dave Danielson Professor of Philosophy

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