Spokane7
50°
November 9, 2010 in City
College class sizes grow, programs suffer as cuts deepen
Sarah Warman, left, a Spokane Community College cosmetology student, practices her makeup techniques on fellow student Michelle Wonch on Monday. Because of extensive state budget cuts, the cosmetology program has reduced its night offerings.
(Full-size photo)
Enrollment is up at community colleges throughout the nation, and the White House considers the two-year institutions a key to America’s economic recovery.
But even as more students are seeking an education in the state’s most affordable postsecondary schools, budget cuts already ordered and even deeper cuts looming will mean fewer instructors, fewer classes and fewer students served.
Community Colleges of Spokane, which encompasses Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and the Institute for Extended Learning, along with Washington’s 33 other community and technical colleges, were asked earlier this fall to come up with two budgets. One reflects a 6.3 percent across-the-board cut, which could go into effect before the year’s end, and another shows additional cuts totaling a 10 percent reduction that would hit in 2011-’12.
Already, Community Colleges of Spokane has suspended nighttime courses in massage therapy, auto machining and some of its cosmetology programs and reduced its work force by dozens, college officials said Monday. The lines to register are lengthy, the chances of enrolling in a required class are slimmer, and if a student does get in, the classes will likely be packed.
Since 2008-’09, Spokane’s community college system has trimmed nearly $20 million from its budget.
“There comes a breaking point with budget cuts this deep – the colleges won’t be able to do more with less as they have been,” said Janelle Runyon, spokeswoman for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. “All of them are making really hard decisions that they don’t like to make.”
Greg Stevens, CCS human resource director, said, “The challenge for us is our enrollment is increasing” for the third year in a row.
College administrators fear what’s next, with a state revenue forecast expected on Nov. 18. They are prepared to make additional cuts of 2 percent immediately, which would be more of the same – more layoffs, fewer classes, elimination of low-enrollment classes and less financial aid.
They could be asked next year to go ahead with a 4 percent cut on top of that, for a total reduction of 10 percent. If that comes to pass, CCS will have cut its budget by 34.5 percent since 2008-’09.
According to a Community Colleges of Spokane budget document, the impact of cuts of that magnitude at Spokane Community College alone could be an estimated reduction of 250 adjunct positions, 151 fewer classes and 4,530 fewer class seats.
Staff at the Institute of Extended Learning, which serves the neediest students, would be further cut, eliminating class sections for about 315 students. Running Start, a popular program that allows high school juniors and seniors to simultaneously take college courses for credit while finishing high school, will be trimmed too, officials said.
“The pain is sprinkled all around,” Stevens said.
State funding for the 34 community and technical college system has been cut $127 million over the last two years and the additional across-the-board cut the governor ordered for all state agencies brings the system’s total reduction in state funds to $167 million, or 21 percent, Runyon said.
“Each college handles their cuts differently based on their local budgets and their local community’s needs,” she said.
But President Barack Obama’s goal to graduate an additional 5 million college students by 2020 appears increasingly difficult.
Said Runyon, “The record budget cuts alongside record enrollments for two years running is unprecedented and making it very difficult for community and technical colleges to do what they’ve always done: keep the doors to affordable education open.”
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Ed Byrnes on November 09 at 12:36 a.m.
A very similar story is being played out at the four year universities here in Washington, including the two that primarily serve us on the east side. Since higher education is a “discretionary” budget item this will keep happening during this recession.
Our state has also failed to keep its commitments to primary, middle and secondary education.
If our representatives do not take an objective look at our mandated “entitlement” spending and readjust the state budget our claims of an educated workforce will soon ring very hollow, as will our hopes for our children to participate in quality and affordable higher education.
oneanddone on November 09 at 4:10 a.m.
Although it’s impolitic to say, our entire education structure needs to be revamped. It needs to be centered on the needs of the economy and the students ability. We have to stop providing equal education to everyone, just because it feels good. At the primary level, inclusion of children with serious intelligence or behavioral issues diminishes the quality of education for all others. At the secondary level, students who demonstrate a lack of dedication need to be shown the door. Post-secondary education needs to be based solely on ability and focused entirely on the needs of the economy. Massage therapy? Music or art appreciation? Ticky-tacky, kum-by-ya courses, and especially intercollegiate sports cost too much and detract from the basic point of a university education. The USA is the only country with such an idiotic system.
drywitt99 on November 09 at 4:58 a.m.
“Post secondary education.needs to be……focused entirely on the needs of the economy.”
What drivel!!
“the needs of the economy?”
In 1928, there wasn’t an overwhelming economic need to study mold. Yet that was the year when Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered the miraculous traits of the penicillum mold. Which led to the development of the first antibiotic…..which has saved hundreds of millions of lives over the years
In 1930…in the depths of the Great depression…..there was not much economic need for nuclear research. Although it was certainly useful in endng World War Two…..and preventing a World War Three.
The list is endless.
College is not a trade school.
It is not where you go to master the skills of the technology of your father’s generation.
It is where you go to create the technology for you children’s generation.
soccermomsusie on November 09 at 6:50 a.m.
“One and Done,” I assume you are talking about Hamburger University ran by McDonald’s. This is the future! America can lead the way again by a breakthrough in french fry technology. I believe the curly fry was ours! Research and development is “where it’s at,” as the kids say.
One thing is for sure! NO NEW TAXES!!! When I had to pay a penny more for a can of pop, I climbed into my Hummer and drove to Idaho. Thank God the sodey pop industry paid more to defeat this tax than the tax will ever raise. I guess that should tell you who’s boss around here!!!
Corporations are boss! The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!!
Scoutster on November 09 at 7:02 a.m.
This is how we eat our young.
soccermomsusie on November 09 at 7:23 a.m.
I am having some second thoughts about my desire to have all public education privatized. Maybe there is a common ground we can reach. What is it that we do best (beside curly fries) here in the USA? Hmmmm:
1. A joint campus of AMWAY and WA State might be good to show how multi-level marketing can make all of us wealthy.
2. A degree in lottery ticket calculus?
3. A political science degree that shows why it is in our best interest to abandon our best interest.
4. Replace football and basketball teams with twinkie and hamburger eating teams (corporate sponsorship).
5. All courses should focus on The End Times, the ecology socialist movement and our god-given nuclear arsenal.
6. Attack ad marketing and one word sloganeering - easy on the brain, easy on the nation.
7. Why socialist countries in Europe (and commie Canada) are doomed even though they seem more financially solvent, have higher standards of living, have “better” healthcare, etc. They are an affrontry to God and His Invisible Hand - The Free Market.
That’s just a start. Financial aid now available!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
hawken on November 09 at 7:39 a.m.
Crunch these Numbers as of a few minutes ago. They are rising so quickly that I just use zeros in the last 6 digits of the larger numbers.
1- U.S.Total Debt: $54,703,949,000,000
Per U.S. Citizen (NOT TAXPAYER): $176,083
* A newborn today is already in debt $176,083
2- Gross Debt to GDP Ratio: 94%
3- U.S. Federal Budget Deficit: $1,352,048,350,000
4- U.S. Unfunded Liabilities: $111,190,977,000,000
Per U.S. Taxpayer: $1,008,623
How many times must it be said, “these numbers are unsustainable.”
If this new class of Republicans do what they were sent to Congress to do, by the will of the American electorate, there are spending and budget cuts ahead that will make all of our heads spin. Which is long overdue.
The American people did not send the Republicans to Congress because they are so fond of Republicans.
They did so to stop this madness of big government tax and borrow and spend.
Republicans understand, I think, that this is their last chance as a political party.
Likewise, many, if not most, Democrats will come along this time, or most of them will be fired in 2012. Obama will come along as well or he will be a one term president.
Whimpering over Community College cuts is like whimpering over a pimple on your nose when you’ve just been told that you have cancer.
PoorSportsmansAlmanack on November 09 at 7:47 a.m.
Hawken, your numbers are literally made-up.
Even if they weren’t, I’m glad that you agree that the biggest and most wasteful areas of government expenditure need to be cut. So, let’s start with the military budget which is the largest discretionary item.
WillyPeter on November 09 at 7:59 a.m.
WOW! soccermom…some feat stuffing five whoppers into #7.
misjustice on November 09 at 8:19 a.m.
Hah! That’s rich. Sqawken sqwakin’ with made up economic numbers while his sqawk box was silent during the Credit Card Capitalism, er economic policies, of the Wonder Boy; soccermom’s favorite nincompoop.
We borrowed the money to “fund” tax cuts, 2 wars, and Medicare part D, from Red Communist China; put it all on the nation’s credit card. And the bill is coming due. We are hurting now, due to the “charge it” attitude of the past administration. Funny, when they were running UP the debt/deficit we never heard a peep from Boner or McConnell or Cantor or DeLay or Blunt or Frist or Hastert or anyother of the bozos now bleating like sheep.
So let’s hear more “solutions” from the Reich, such as not educating everyone in grade school, dropping secondary kids from the rolls, no art, no nuthin’ that does not contribute to turning out drones for “industry”; which in our service based economy means more maids, store clerks, and burger flippers.
Really?
rightsideofthestate on November 09 at 8:23 a.m.
My daughter is doing great over at the U of I. Somehow in Idaho a Republican run legislature and Gov manage to keep the colleges running in this tough economy without raising taxes. We need to substantially raise tuition in this state to keep classes open. I have two kids going to SFCC and I am more than willing to pay more tuition to get them through. It’s still the best bargain around.
PlanB on November 09 at 8:25 a.m.
oneanddone, your statement “children with serious intelligence or behavioral issues diminishes the quality of education for all others” is about the most sickening insult to humanity that I’ve ever read, and the rest of your post isn’t much better.
Please enlighten me as to how giving all kids a chance to succeed diminishes opportunity for others. Are some people not worthy? Who gets to choose the privileged ones who will be educated?
hawken on November 09 at 8:30 a.m.
PoorSportsmansAlmanack
Dear Poor….. here’s the source of those numbers…. see for yourself…. If only they were “made up.”
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
joe doughtnut on November 09 at 8:46 a.m.
Hawken@7:39am
Here’s some numbers that were share with me a few years ago from Gary Livingston(sp) former ceo of SCC District 17.If a person has ONE year vocational or techincal training,that person more than likely increase their income by THIRTY-FIVE percent.
One year can bring alot of people out of poverty into the middle class.We can either pay thru education or public assistance.
hawken on November 09 at 8:50 a.m.
Misjudgment and others from the far liberal left…. don’t yet get it.
Either we are going to finally take our American, gluttonous, socialist, big and bigger government tax, borrow and spend… soon… medicine…
Or,,, we are going to see the collapse of our U.S. Dollar and economic system.
For those whom think that world super-powers cannot collapse… Just look at the U.S.S.R. in modern History…. Rome in ancient History…
Here are more….. Entitled:
Why Do World Powers
Decline and Fall?
http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGdecline.htm
If we don’t make some major changes in course, maybe you should buy “Rosetta Stone”…. be sure to get Chinese.
China already owns us. We already work for them.
hawken on November 09 at 8:59 a.m.
joe doughnut
I totally agree with those numbers…. one whom has a Ph.D., two master’s degrees and a B.A.
My parents didn’t get their G.E.D.s until they were in their 30s. I was the first in my family, ever,,,, to enroll in a 4 yr University.
But you miss the point! Even the most educated, experienced and talented are without work today!
“College Grad Can’t Find Job, Wants $$$ Back”
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/College-Grad-Cant-Find-Job-Wants—Back-52304162.html
First…. stop the madness of big and bigger, liberal left government tax, borrow and spend.
This will grow small business, increase tax revenues and begin the healing of our economy.
Then: re-tool our higher education…
hawken on November 09 at 9:05 a.m.
Followup - joe doughnut
I failed to mention that small business creates 90% of our jobs. Which I assume that you know… Maybe not others.
Government does not produce anything…. They simply seize from the productive, tax dollars and then transfer that money to big and bigger government services, which of course, requires more bureaucrats, government employees, larger government unions… which result in higher government salaries and totally absurd, costly government pensions!
hawken on November 09 at 9:13 a.m.
PoorSportsmansAlmanack
Poor…. are you willing to concede that I did NOT make up the horrendous numbers I posted above? As you falsely accused me of doing?
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Or, are you just another member of the far liberal left, that slings false accusations when conservatives provide facts that sink your ship?
Which are you? Fair minded, willing to concede a point?
Or, far left, fallacious liberal, who will never acknowledge your logical fallacies?
SpokaneLiberal on November 09 at 9:36 a.m.
Hawken how about we go back(intellectually) to a time of American Economic Dominance. Lets say the 50s and 60s. Then lets really adopt those tax rates. Then lets see what happens to the debt. Poof.
MrNatural on November 09 at 9:36 a.m.
Y ‘know Hawken the door does swing both ways…(weapons of mass destruction and Wall Street for example)
“Or, are you just another member of the far conservative right that slings false accusations when liberals provide facts that sink your ship?
Which are you? Fair minded, willing to concede a point?
Or, far right, fallacious conservative, who will never acknowledge your logical fallacies?”
The debt clock is an interesting bit of bling I will concede….and I enjoyed interpreting your link to: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGde… funny they did not mention education
hawken on November 09 at 9:44 a.m.
Natural: Let me respond to your point of “Weapons of Mass Destruction.”
The whole free world and free world intelligence agencies, and the Clinton Administration, and the Clinton Congress,,,, ALL believed that Iraq had “Weapons of Mass” destruction.
I have addressed this point in great detail, with corroborated evidence… which you might have missed.
This will take two posts…. not enough room in one:
Bush On Iraq
Bush did the right thing, invading Iraq….
The free world and their intelligence agencies were convinced that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
Saddam Hussean had already gassed his own people, some 5000 Kerds….
Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait as you might recall.
President Clinton, his administration and leading Democrats at the time….
All believed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction…
Bill Clinton
Sandy Berger
Carl Levin
John Kerry
Nancy Pelosi
Bob Graham
Al Gore
Ted Kennedy
Robert Byrd
Jay Rockefeller
Henry Waxman
Hillary Clinton
These facts are indisputable….
See for yourself the various quotes and actions of all those I have listed above…. in one place.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/wm…
History will be kind to Bush.
So, if you need someone to blame,,,, add these to your list along with Tony Blair and national leaders others.
hawken on November 09 at 9:45 a.m.
Natural:
More on Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Second Post
Here are more I might have missed above… Forgive me if I have duplicated some… there are many…. I have not listed them all…. I’m running out of space.
“[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.” — From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998
“This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.” — From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others
“Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities” — From a joint resolution submitted by Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter on July 18, 2002
“Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement.” — Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002
“There’s no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat… Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He’s had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001… He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn’t have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we.” — Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002
“What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad’s regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs.” — Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002
“I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons…I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out.” — Clinton’s Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003
“Saddam Hussein’s regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal.” — John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002
More,,, including Patty Murray….but I’ve used all my space.
hawken on November 09 at 9:50 a.m.
My 9:44 post has a broken link….
here you go….
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/wmdquotes.asp
MrNatural on November 09 at 10:05 a.m.
Thanks Hawken…I think I understand a bit more about what compels you now.
Take care…
Oh and btw…I do hope we keep higher education more accessible and affordable.
zelda on November 09 at 10:09 a.m.
I’m curious about what the CC’s low-enrollment classes are. I’d hate to see them cut algebra just so more kids who got Ds and Fs all the way through high school can learn to be hairdressers or massage therapists.
I suppose the admistrators are doing this, but if not they need to take a serious look at the mix of classes being offered. Sure — lots of students are clamoring to be cosmetologists because it’s an easy degree unlike a technical program that requires some motivation, study and reasoning ability.
I’m not advocating for 100% voc-tech (English, foreign languages, history and other liberal arts or valuable as well) but we’ve got a generation of kids, esp. girls, who think they can make a career out of what they’re seeing on “Project Runway.”
hawken on November 09 at 10:12 a.m.
Natural; I’m not sure that you do know what compels me? Can you be more specific? As to you your opinion…. what compels me?
MrNatural on November 09 at 10:20 a.m.
…Nah!…
It really has nothing to do with an opinion on the article at hand and what I think of what compels someone is my own business.
Again…take care…and keep em flyin’
hawken on November 09 at 10:25 a.m.
Natural:
It’s not your own business when you make insinuations in a public forum like this… without clarification from those whom have asked a reasonable question.
It is dishonesty, for fear of being exposed, for what you might be implying.
So let me ask again. What in your opinion,,, “compels me.”
MrNatural on November 09 at 10:30 a.m.
Nope!
hawken on November 09 at 10:34 a.m.
Natural:
You are bankrupt of integrity… as you yourself have demonstrated.
MrNatural on November 09 at 10:38 a.m.
…well…I am a liberal after all …
drywitt99 on November 09 at 10:47 a.m.
All we need to do is worship at the shrine of hawken.
He knows all…..just listen and he will tell you so
He has the answers…..even if the questions keep changing
He is willing to lead us from the darkness into the light…….of 1920s America
Government is bad…..business is good
Listen to his word……for the word is good!!
hawken on November 09 at 11:00 a.m.
Limited government is VERY good.
Corrupt business is VERY bad. It should be prosecuted or allowed to go bankrupt….
No More Bailouts!
misjustice on November 09 at 11:17 a.m.
With “limited” gubmint, there would be no one to prosecute wrong doers…duh…sqawken has hijacked another thread with his retching Republican’t Reich propaganda.
I’m wondering if, after the economy smooths out, enrollment at our community colleges will fall or level out? Don’t people often go back to school when the economy tanks? These enrollment numbers are not “normal”. I too, would like to know which low enrollment classes are being cut?
It’s too bad that Running Start is being cut; that is a very popular, worthwhile and successful program.
MrNatural on November 09 at 11:32 a.m.
After some thought I decided to respond to your request hawken…after all even us liberals have some integrity
…I have learned over the years…serving in the military…going to college…raising children…working at various occupations and being a professional at my trade that there are some people in this world who refuse to honor another’s opinion, believe compromise is failure, insult others opinion and become indignant to the point of vile and malicious counter accusations. They are deluded into believing it as righteousness. You sir are one of these. I’m not exactly sure what clinical definition they have for your sort but I’m quite sure there is one. In the ideology of rightwing conservatism you have completely embraced the attack and smear. I for one lean toward empathy and compassion toward my fellow human beings and wish in view of some means of national or community support that those who are disenfranchised, by the exploiting capitalist sociopaths that you often idolize, are provided the means and a chance…SUCH AS HIGHER EDUCATION. I am also aware that the government whipping-boy you blame all of society’s ills upon are made up of people like you and me who are doing their best at maintaining the social and infrastructure we all seem to take for granted while being browbeaten by ungrateful hacks like you. I become a bit irritated when a boorish pontificating piss-ant such as yourself attacks what I hold dear. To directly answer your trail-off blather about weapons of mass destruction I will not concede nor will I accept any mealy-mouthed propagandized explanation except that George W. Bush was in charge during 9-11 and dropped the ball, and recklessly and impetuously declared a war, sent our soldiers off to be maimed and die and is solely responsible for the death and misery that has occurred since to the country of Iraq. You Sir in my opinion are “compelled” by myopic sanctimonious hubris and in my opinion this is what will be the downfall of our nation and our planet. And no support link to a right wing sicko totalitarian web site will convince me otherwise. But that’s just my opinion…I hope this is the response you counted on.
Take care fellow citizen…I still defend your right to opinion.
Oh and btw…I really don’t care what your opinion of me is…I’ve had to suffer with it since you began to grace these boards.
Dazzeetrader11 on November 09 at 11:41 a.m.
I suspect the cosmetology programs won’t be the big contributor it once was.lol..Nor the massage program. Oh Darn! Night school for auto machining? We’ll die without that one!
I’d be more worried about math, history, the three R’s.
There is nothing to feels bad about in the cuts…at least nothing in this article. Cuts happen ..or do you people want the pending bankruptcy of the US to happen?
Keep the core…everything else goes. Obama’s generated too much additional fat….something the programs and universities don’t need. Oh these JC’s will be fine without the fluff. Condense and prepare for the future. It’s the core that’ll make us better. We aren’t here to serve universities…it’s the other way around. Makeup classes.hey..get a video on YouTube.!!
misjustice on November 09 at 12:59 p.m.
@ Mr. Natch; Applause from the peanut gallery!
; )
misjustice on November 09 at 1:00 p.m.
Actually, Daisy, your YouTube video idea, re; missed class lectures is a good idea! Keep ‘em coming, girl!
; )
MrNatural on November 09 at 1:11 p.m.
Thanks mj…I really appreciate that…and still I feel bad for having to digress and insult…go figger…
SpokaneLiberal on November 09 at 1:21 p.m.
Obama generated too much fat?
The cosmetology programs in the state long predate Obama. In fact almost no new programs have been added to any college during the Obama 1.75 years. Just so we are clear.
hawken on November 09 at 1:38 p.m.
Natural:
I’m just back from my 3 hr. lunch and nap per my union contract.
You say…. this plus much more. But I will just respond to this:
A- “…there are some people in this world who refuse to honor another’s opinion”
B- “compelled” by myopic sanctimonious hubris
I have absolute contempt for the far liberal left world view you propagate. For these reasons:
1. It presents the paramount, greatest of, threats to our national economic well being. This has been demonstrated throughout world history in socialist and communist nations around the globe. It has been demonstrated in the U.S. most prominently, by F.D.R., Jimmy Carter and now Obama.
2. It is a greater threat to our national security than any foreign power, or Muslim terrorists.
3- It continues to chip away and diminish the personal freedom we have been afforded by the U.S. Constitution… in favor of big government.
4- It is has absolutely no ability to acknowledge it’s intellectual bankruptcy or even concede a point when provided facts such as you have refused to do in your hatred for Bush. Even with all of the indisputable, historical quotes I have provided above relating to you fallacious accusations of WMDs… You still insist that it is totally the fault of Bush. This is typical, liberal left, intellectual bankruptcy and lack of integrity.
This is what compels me….. With no apologies.
And…. just to remind you of the obvious…. The Democrat left just suffered the worst, mid-term carnage in over 75 yrs.
Apparently, I am not alone in my contempt for your world view.
I guess this means that I will not be invited to your Christmas party?
MrNatural on November 09 at 2:20 p.m.
Frankly I’m a bit surprised you still believe liberals celebrate Christmas.
..Hmmm?…well I wasn’t actually having a Christmas Party…it’s just me at home this year. My son is in the service and daughter is spending it I think on the coast.
You in need of a liberal piñata for your Christmas Party?
soccermomsusie on November 09 at 2:37 p.m.
Hawken is right as usual when he says, “Government does not produce anything…. ” Some Libertard Demoncrats might point to the Grand Coulee Dam, but that is beside the point.
Also, some of my favorite Conservative commentators point out that government has never created one job. Now, the Stinkgressives would reply, “What about policemen, firemen, soldiers, librarians, sailors, airmen, geologists, garbagemen, etc.?” Again this is beside the point. What the commentators meant to say is that government has never created one job outside of the government.
To which the Libertard Demoncrat Stinkgressive Socialists would say, “How about the Boeing workers who build the air force’s planes, the small business construction companies who maintain and build our roads and the companies who they hire to build their buildings?
Again I say, this is beside the point. LOOK INTO MY EYES: The fact is that government has never made anything, has never did anything or ever created one job. Repeat this to yourself three times.
YOU PEOPLE ARE TOO DENSE (AND CORRUPTED BY FANCY BOOK LEARNIN’) TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ME AND HAWKEN ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!!
Dazzeetrader11 on November 09 at 2:43 p.m.
Liberal…grow a brain. They need to cut. Predating..postdating Obama… in case you don’t know..there was life before Obama…there was one! The great one who cannot count? Before Obama, there were plenty of mistakes too! This isn’t partisan..
No fast forwardL GET rid of those programs like cosmo, etc.
Then cut the Obama fat..like Obamacare. Stop the damned spending! That’s all we need to do. Get rid of the Bush fat.
Cut the damned spending. This article whines about the programs being cut. Cut them…no whining! DO your own makeup..do your own hair!. The programs cut don’t matter for living..they do matter for spending though.
Snipe snipe snipe…cut cut cut.
eagleproducer on November 09 at 2:59 p.m.
I’m not sure why “it” feels the need to hijack every thread on this website, but it would be nice if “its” posts weren’t filled with errors of fact that are easily refuted with a cursory amount of research. I always tell students that writing something that you know isn’t true or haven’t verified is true is lying.
I don’t think of this election as anything other than what it was: The “independent” voters who voted Democrat in 2008 voted GOP in 2010. Those are voters, who are essentially bankrupt of a worldview, are of the same type “it” told us to despise prior to the election. The election doesn’t signal a sea change of any sort. It simply demonstrates that about 25% of the electorate is conservative, 40% liberal with the rest twisting in the wind waiting for the latest snake oil huckster to tell them how to think.
The community colleges could have solve many of their budget woes by forcing older professors into retirement. There are instructors at SFCC still teaching whom my father took courses from when he retired from Fairchild. He’s been dead for ten years. Instead they eliminate the younger adjunct professors who could be hired full time for 1/2-1/3 the salary of those who’ve been there 40+ years. In addition, younger workers rarely access their health benefits. The same goes for elementary and secondary education in Washington. Go into any school and look how may of the teachers are over 55. The younger teachers aren’t being hired, as well as the younger professors, which will force them into other sectors of the economy and lead to a severe shortage should the economy recover or those old fogies finally decide to hang it up.
Lower the retirement age temporarily to 55. I know a lot of people who’d quit working and clear the way for younger, less expensive professionals if they still had health benefits when they did. It’s the only reason many of them are hanging around.
soccermomsusie on November 09 at 3:03 p.m.
As Daisy says, “Liberal grow a brain.” I will second that. But, please stand with our best president ever, George W. Bush, by pledging to not grow this brain with fetal stem cells.
It is bad enough that Obama is using aborted fetus oil to fuel Air Fatwah One.
Thank you.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
zelda on November 09 at 3:53 p.m.
Since cosmetologists, hairdressers and massage therapists have to be state licensed, I think that the for-profit beauty schools can be the ones to meet the demand. Students can pay the tuition and find out for themselves how the law of supply and demand works in the labor force. How many Kim Kardashians do we need?
I’d like to see the CCs focus on educating people where there is a scarcity of skills. I know that jobs are hard to come by now, but producing a workforce trained for grooming one another is not going to dig this nation out of a hole.
Saving the world from blue eyeshadow and make-up that doesn’t match the skin on your neck is not a good use of taxpayers’ money when every dollar needs to count.
eagleproducer on November 09 at 3:58 p.m.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/nyregion/10klein.html?_r=1&hp
Here is another alarming development occurring in public education.
Out with the old, in with the new. This time that means the NYC school’s chancellor heading off to run Fox News while he’s replaced with a upper level Hearst News executive. Interestingly, the Obama administration has hailed NY City schools as innovators to be emulated.
So here we go: The new paradigm is CEO’s running school systems instead of people who’ve actually spent time in a classroom working with students. This is a trend that has been occurring in education for decades, with a leadership class far removed from the actual workplace and out of touch with a vastly changed student population.
carisa021 on November 09 at 4:34 p.m.
This is a huge problem. Technical skills and higher education are key to revitalizing our economy, now more than EVER.
With globalization, our workers have to compete with India ($1/hour) and Mexico ($7/hour) for OLD manufacturing jobs. The key to NEW jobs is innovative new industries and a highly skilled workforce.
Obama knows this and created a task force for partnering community college curriculum with local business workforce needs. But it’s gonna take some time, Bush shoulda/coulda looked around and saw this writing on the wall years ago.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/10/obama-announces-new-plan-to-partner-businesses-with-community-colleges/1
greenlibertarian on November 09 at 5:15 p.m.
Please do not feed the troll.
As to the point at hand:
“Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Opportunities for entry-level workers should be favorable, while job candidates at high-end establishments will face keen competition.
Employment change. Personal appearance workers will grow by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. “
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos332.htm
“Best Careers 2009: Hairstylist/Cosmetologist
Other pluses: This career is a fashionista’s dream: It’s one of the rare fields with good job opportunities in which you’re rewarded for staying current on fashion and design. And your job won’t be offshored—it may make sense to do robotic surgery from India but not a shampoo and cut.”
http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-hairstylistcosmetologist.html
Never underestimate the American demand for personal vanity products and services, even in a recession.
zelda on November 09 at 5:28 p.m.
spoketucky — Yeah, that’s the conservatives ‘answer to everything, isn’t it? Privatize. I’m not a fan of unions, but charter schools are no panacea. Wanna watch corporations turn a buck on your kids’ formative years? God forbid anybody take a moderate stance nowadays and advocate for a sensible middle.
Good article in the NY Review of Books recently about what was omitted in the documentary “Waiting for ‘Superman’.”
Specifically, “Why did he [the director] not also inquire into the charter chains that are mired in unsavory real estate deals, or take his camera to the charters where most students are getting lower scores than those in the neighborhood public schools? Why did he not report on the charter principals who have been indicted for embezzlement, or the charters that blur the line between church and state? Why did he not look into the charter schools whose leaders are paid $300,000-400,000 a year to oversee small numbers of schools and students?”
Dazzeetrader11 on November 09 at 5:34 p.m.
lol Green…time to cut to the bone. We don’t need no stinkin cosmos, rubdowns, nor do we need silly “carrers” to be funded by the taxpayers.
Make those “professions” as lofty as you try..in the end they don’t do anything you can’t do at home. Three “R’s” rule.
Elevate your thought grasshoppers. Feed the needy or get a facial by a licensed aesthetician…you’re call.
I thought all you “meaningful” types would be more thoughtful.
Libs usually overthink everything on the planet. Food or a massage for your fellow needy people. I mean maybe…must maybe the kids in training as a pinball gaming technician With a St license would help everyone relax! …So the taxpayer should pay for them too? Well..maybe if they learn some “electronics” along the way…lol…cmon guys..you’re Americans..toughen up! Support the skills and training America really needs!..not the sissy stuff. See how patriotic I am tonight?
hawken on November 09 at 5:36 p.m.
greenliberal:
What’s projected is that unemployment is going to remain at or above 10% until the new class of Republicans take their seats, in January.
Then, they will begin the process of undoing the damage of the far liberal left that has been inflicted upon us throughout the last two years.
Once small business has some clue,,,, as how to establish their business plans for the future, jobs will then be created.
We might see a small, temporary, blip downwards in unemployment, during the Christmas season when so many part time employees are hired. That will then go away in January, like every year.
Until then, you’re simply chasing your tail, going nowhere, in circles, when you talk about “…barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers…”
How vain and unimportant in light of the massive problems we face economically!
Oh yea! I’m sure we can count on the “personal appearance workers” to get us out of this mess. Ridiculous, absurd, stupid, naive….??? I’m really having a hard time trying to come up with the appropriate adjective.
Maybe you can see why the American electorate booted so many Dems.? Answer: Because they are such deep thinkers with realistic solutions? NOT.
Until our government gives the small business owner some, dependable, expectation as to what to expect with new taxes and more regulation…. you will continue to chase your tail, continuing to spew the world view of the liberal theft…. which is purely ‘theoretical.” Of Course.
hawken on November 09 at 5:56 p.m.
greenliberal:
You really should change your handle…
You insult true Libertarians whom believe this….
“The United States was founded on the libertarian principles of individual freedom, free markets, private property, and limited government.”
By Randall Gordon Weissbuch, MD
http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/state/vote/weissbuch_r/paper1.html
It is obvious that you don’t even know the meaning of the word…. ie; “Libertarian”…. Which is clear, based upon your many posts in this forum.
Thus, I have renamed you “greenliberal.”
Scoutster on November 09 at 6:19 p.m.
People…
Don’t feed the beast! I fell for it the other day, and I’m so sorry.
Don’t feed the beast!
soccermomsusie on November 09 at 6:28 p.m.
I am glad that Hawken names the source of his definition of “Libertarian” (not to be confused with Libertard Demoncrat). His source for this definition is Randall Gordon Weissbuch. I don’t know why he picked him but I must say that Dr. Weissbuch was very proficient at removing my bunions. And that is good enough for me.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
hawken on November 09 at 6:29 p.m.
Children,,,, children,,,, (far liberal left)
The only way to quite “feeding the beast”,,, is for you to stop posting your liberal left pablum on this forum….
It is a feast for the beast!
However, I would enjoy a red steak and glass of Bourbon every once in a while…. if you are capable of such a feat.
greenlibertarian on November 09 at 8:46 p.m.
“Cosmetology Programs of Tomorrow: Turning Beauty into Business
Published October 07, 2010
Written by Grace Chen
Cosmetology has traditionally been the realm of trade schools that specialize in training and licensing hair stylists, nail technicians and skin care specialists. Many of the current trade schools are directly tied to a specific product brand, such as the Aveda chain of training institutes. However, the face of cosmetology is changing - and not just with new makeup skills.
Today, cosmetology programs are expanding into community colleges that recognize a background in basic business principles, as well as cosmetology training, will help graduates move into and advance in the field of cosmetology.”
“Bringing Business to Cosmetology
Because many cosmetologists go into business for themselves, a basic business background is very helpful for either advancement or entrepreneurship in their industry. While trade schools may offer some courses in running a retail establishment, they don’t provide an actual degree to back up the knowledge and experience of the student. This is where community colleges can fill an important niche. By combining a business background with cosmetology training, these schools believe they better prepare their students for a satisfying career in the field of cosmetology.
Although the time to obtain an associate’s degree in cosmetology may be longer than simply obtaining licensure or certification in the field, many community colleges offer lower tuition rates than trade schools. This means that students who select a community college for their cosmetology training may not end up paying much more than they would at a private training institute nearby.
In addition, the student receives the business education necessary to go into business for herself at some point in the future.” (continues)
http://www.communitycollegereview.com/articles/284
Naw, let’s not spend taxpayer dollars training comparatively low-skilled people for a growing and entrepreneurial small business career. That makes sense.
eagleproducer on November 09 at 9:31 p.m.
The GOP hates small business. Just ask “it.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-29/senate-republicans-block-small-business-lending-bill-sought-by-democrats.html
zelda on November 09 at 10:24 p.m.
@greenlibertarian — From what I see, the cosmetology business is contracting not expanding. There’s an oversupply because it’s such a low-barrier-to-entry business and it depends on people having a steady source of discretionary income.
Sure, the ones who have their act together can make a living and maybe even become entrepreneurs, but there are plenty of us who have figured out how to do these things for ourselves.
OK, that said, I’ve reached the conclusion that just about the only way to make a living in this country right now is by being a flim-flam artist. So let’s tell our children to set themselves up doing aromatherapy, ear-candling, astrology, attending naturopathy school to sell herbs while floating down the river on a homemade raft or doing mortgage loan “work-out” modifications. Hocus pocus pays well if you can find enough marks and have a smooth spiel.
greenlibertarian on November 10 at 3:15 a.m.
“So let’s tell our children to set themselves up doing aromatherapy, ear-candling, astrology, attending naturopathy school to sell herbs while floating down the river on a homemade raft(continues)
Zelda
While there is an amount of fantasy involved, its far less than the utter vagaries of astrology, and are far more noticeable, good or bad, in the immediate visual sense, regarding cosmetology.
Being of a certain age, myself, completely comfortable in my skin and that of my sweetheart sans makeup. Matters little to me, more to her, which is her choice, and she’s otherwise a near completely selfless successful capitalist, somewhat conservative, but mostly disaffected, politically .
I’ve personally no affinity for the often massively fraudulent beauty products industry, But there ARE products and services out there, that (mostly) women consume, (though the male market is growing faster), that are indeed healthy and flattering. Nothing wrong with that, if it’s all on the up and up.
I am not, cannot judge the All-Mighty market, the Invisible Hand of … God, has Chosen, as soccormomsuzie suggested earlier.
You can go into the rational marginal value of such “treatments”, but the average American who consumes this service might very well not operate in a rational fashion, not all of the time anyway, appearance can very emotional. Markets bear this out. Especially at the margin.
eagleproducer on November 10 at 9:27 a.m.
Zelda: I hav seen the film you cited and pored through some of the criticism available, although not the source you cited. I’ve worked in a state as a teacher that had charter schools. Some of them highly outperformed the public schools near them. Others failed miserably. I think charter schools have many advantages that public schools don’t, the chief being the lack of a huge bureaucracy resistant to change when problems need to be addressed. I’m getting to be less and less a fan of the WEA and my local because they’ve done basically what all the other public unions in the state have done: protect seniority instead of jobs. The biggest difference between charters and public schools is that charters get to pick their students. We teach everyone. That being said, I think Washington state should re-examine the idea of charter schools, a thought that is rejected outright by most of my colleagues.
There is a charter model that began in NYC that I think could work at helping improve education across the board in the U.S. It involves a management model where the classroom teacher is the final arbiter of all matters. That means curriculum development and alignment with state standards, lesson design, classroom management, administration, etc. Each school has only a single administrator with a very small support staff. The custodial services are outsourced as are the food service contracts. They don’t have senior janitors or lunch ladies raking in fifty grand with benefits. They don’t have the huge and unnecessary drain of interscholastic athletics. The teachers are paid nearly six figures to start. With proven success and boosting student achievement, they receive bonuses that push them well above one hundred grand a year. This model means teachers would also be working many more hours after classes.
Movement to charters schools of the sort I mentioned would mean the recruitment of a higher quality graduate than normally found in public schools. It’s a sore spot with my fellows when I mention that the average teacher in U.S. public schools were in the lower third of their classes in college. But it’s true. I think it’s the coaches who skew the percentage downward, but I could be wrong. Increasing the pay to the point where it is commensurate with other professionals who spend the same amount of time and money training would automatically boost the quality of those who enter education as a profession.
zelda on November 10 at 10:53 a.m.
greenlibertarian — Good points. I don’t disagree. I am a consumer of beauty services and products. I just am discouraged at the number of young people, girls esp., who screw off in high school, drop out and then fall back on cosmetology and “the woo” as jobs of last resort.
spokestucky — I like your ideas, but somebody does have to take special-needs kids and that falls to the public schools. I think Germany has a better approach to public education.
eagleproducer on November 11 at 9:19 a.m.
zelda: Charters could also handle special needs kids if the money followed the student. Charters could also be formed that served that portion of the student population specifically.
thatguy55 on November 13 at 11:44 p.m.
If CCS enrollments have gone up for the last 3 years running, i don’t see how all these budget cuts are going to supply the growing need for a higher education in the greater Spokane area. If some people want the education system to be about our economy, then I don’t see why education wouldn’t be the first place to turn too. I understand that in these tough times we all might need to “tighten our belts a little” and realize that we’ll have to do with what we have. Yet CCS will have cut its budget by 34.5% since the 08-09 year. The part I didn’t understand is why the community colleges and the trade schools are being hit so hard, when these are the exact places where people come to get ahead start or a second chance on their education. Education is the key to our future as a nation and as a leader in this world.
andrear79 on November 14 at 6:56 p.m.
Oneanddone
Are you for real, seriously? I’m sorry, people like you are the reason that prejudices lives on in the world today, and frankly, I feel extremely sorry for you and, God forbid if you have any, your future children. You must have not been taught that all mankind have just as much right to an education as the next. We don’t provide equal education, “just because it feels good”, but because it is the law and we are required to do so. People with serious intelligence and behavioral issues are probably some of the brightest people I have come across. I can say this, because I put myself around these people, because they are amazing individuals. We are no longer living in the 50s where, people with small minds like you, would rather put them in an institution and forget about them. These people probably contribute more to society than morons like you. They can do that because they have been given a chance at an education just like the rest of us. I must not forget your comment; “students who demonstrate a lack of dedication need to be shown the door.” I’m so glad you know what is going on in these people’s lives who come across as undedicated. Some people don’t have time to sit for 8 extra hours a day and be “dedicated” to their studies; they have families, jobs, and other life happenings that require their attention on top of their studies. So, if it takes them a few times to succeed, then so be it, at least they are trying, and who are you, or anyone else, to step in the way and “show them the door”? I must ask, have you never had a haircut or massage, or do you ever plan to? I bet you have, and you are probably the individual who feel as if they don’t need to tip either. I am so glad that we have people like you in the world to make it a better place. Maybe one day you might have a child with a disability or one who wants to be a massage therapist, Heaven forbid! I would love to see the day that a school tells you that your special needs child is not welcome because they don’t have a right to an education like “normal” kids. Seriously oneanddone, pull your head out and wake up! I do seriously fell sorry that you are such a small minded scared individual!
ellehurley on November 14 at 10:13 p.m.
The state is cutting our community college budgets yet again. Enrollment is increasing, yet classes and staff members are being eliminated. This means fuller classes, more competition enrolling, and less financial aid available. So it seems there will be fewer people able to get the college education they desire.
I believe education is fundamental in its importance for our society. It makes sense to suggest that the only classes and programs that matter are the ones that directly cater to job demands. Yet since we pay for college, we should be able to choose our career path or passion, however unneeded it is. For some, college is a means in and of itself. For others it is a means to an end, a specific job. So it is unfortunate that not everyone can get what they want out of higher education due to a lack of funding. But I feel that it is necessary to make cuts somewhere, in order to preserve community colleges as a whole.
With record high enrollment, and increases in tuition each year it seems that cutting the budget would be unnecessary. Instead of raising taxes and cutting staff and programs we should investigate what it really costs to attend school and adjust accordingly. Ideally community colleges should be open 24 hours a day; they should have daycares, and serve everyone in the area. Some people would want to attend for personal growth and others for educational advancement and better job placement. Tailoring the school to the demands of the people who want to attend would only make it more successful, and profitable. Cutting programs, teachers, classes, and spots for students only leads to the demise of the public school system and the community that it should be improving.
Dreybiba on November 15 at 10:01 a.m.
•
Now days it seems as though that the problem is not that people do not want to learn, but that the means by which they can may learn are becoming less and less available. Community Colleges are the most affordable postsecondary schools, which is probably why enrollment at Community colleges in America has shown a constant rise. The issue isn’t that people are not willing to learn, but that there is not enough money to give them the resources that they need. One of the main drivers that are causing people to miss out on postsecondary education is budget cuts. Just within the last couple of years, the community colleges in Spokane have been forced to trim $20million from their overall budget and state funding for community colleges and technical schools have been trimmed by $127million as well. The effects of these types of dramatic budget cuts are the loss of courses like massage therapy, auto machining and trims to important programs like “Running Start”, which enables high school students to attend colleges and receive both college and high school credit, saving them half the money that they would spend going to a four year university. Programs like running start and classes like auto machining are at risk of permanently being removed all together due to all of the budget cuts that are taking place during this recession. Also, with all the classes being cut, classroom sizes will grow and there will not be enough instructors to adequately accommodate the learning needs of the majority of their students, which will put them further behind academically.
What our government needs to understand is that education is such a big part of our economy and an even larger part of our lives. When the quality of our education begins to get watered down due to budget cuts in state and national funding, everyone suffers for it. America is the only super power left in the world, and I use “Super Power” loosely because it’s no longer clear how stable this nation is any more. Much of this “instability” is due to educational budget cuts like those that have taken place in Washington State. This type of thing is not only happening in Washington State though, it is happening all over the nation, and on all levels of education. The results of all these “budget cuts” are that the majority of students from elementary to college are no longer proficient in math, reading, science and writing. Due to all of these failures in academia, Americans are missing out on good jobs that could actually help this nation get out of the recession it is in, and bring more “stability” to America continuing to remain a world “super power”. In other nations like china and Finland, they realize that education is a priority and do as much possible to see that their students succeed in math and the sciences. While both China and Finland are not “Super Powers”, they both have strong economies, and it is no coincidence that both China and Finland are in the top 5 when ranked against the other top 25 “developed” nations in the world in terms of education and student graduation, America on the other hand was placed in the bottom 2. To ensure the future of America today, we need to ensure the stability of schools.
Plain and simple, education equals success, and without education, failure is soon to follow. As cliché as it sounds, “knowledge is power” and can be seen everywhere. Taking more and more money away from colleges and forcing them to “do more with less” is counterproductive. Not only does it send the message that education isn’t important, but that it is also becoming less and less readily available.