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Dear Alumni and Friends of Mt. SAC,
Thinking about topics to share with you in this email, I recall a 1966 movie, which those of us of a certain age will remember – “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” While my story is not a Western saga, and I am not Clint Eastwood, the title of the movie captures well the themes of this message. Beginning with “the good,” I am very happy to announce that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has reaffirmed Mt. SAC’s accreditation for another six years. Not only has ACCJC reaffirmed our accreditation, but the Commission attached no conditions or requirements (e.g., follow-up reports or visits), which is a rare action by the Commission. The letter from ACCJC and the full report on Mt. SAC are on our website at http://www.mtsac.edu/administration/accreditation/2010self_study.html The Commission and the evaluation team commend the college for superior programs, services, planning, and fiscal stability. The entire Mt. SAC family shares in this superior achievement.
While ACCJC has commended Mt. SAC for maintaining fiscal stability, that stability is certainly challenged by the State’s budget picture, which brings me to “the bad and the ugly.” Governor Brown has proposed a State budget for 2011-12 with two scenarios, neither of which is good. The “bad” is reflected in his first scenario, which cuts $400 million in base revenue from community colleges and increases enrollment fees by $10 per unit. This scenario also includes the assumption that voters will vote on and pass an extension of various tax increases, enacted several years ago, that otherwise would expire in June. Under this scenario, Mt. SAC will lose approximately $6.9 million, assuming that the increased enrollment fee would offset some of the cut to base revenue.
The film, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” ends with ‘the good” (Clint Eastwood) having the last word over “the bad” and “the ugly,” and I think “the good” ultimately will triumph at Mt. SAC, as well. The commitment, hard work, and creativity our faculty and staff give daily to students speak to the power of the Mt. SAC family – a power recognized by the Accrediting Commission and a power that will overcome and outlast the State’s fiscal crisis. Thank you, our community, alumni and business constituents for your continued support.
Dr. John S. Nixon
President/CEO
Mt. San Antonio College
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