MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, CAPITOL ROOM 4203
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy 510-703-5291
IN WAKE OF CALBRIGHT COLLEGE PRESIDENT HEATHER HILES’ ABRUPT RESIGNATION, SENATE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE STATE’S FIRST ONLINE ONLY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Calbright College under new wave of scrutiny less than four months after opening
Sacramento, CA — Calbright community college, California’s first fully online institution, is once again facing serious scrutiny over costs, transparency, and student access on the heels of President Heather Hiles’ abrupt resignation. On Thursday, February 13th, the Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing at the State Capitol on the “update and review of Calbright.” Community college faculty will air their concerns over high costs for the online college currently serving only 20 students and draining resources needed to serve students in existing community colleges.
Community college faculty have voiced numerous concerns over the past year including the online colleges’ duplication of classes in violation of state law, a lucrative, no-bid contract awarded to a friend of the president, and hiring practices that circumvent the Academic Senate and established policy.
The California Federation of Teachers has urged greater state oversight and warned against diverting much needed investments away from California’s existing higher education systems, which are already stretched thin and serve a far greater number of students.
Who: Jim Mahler, CFT Community College Council President will testify at the hearing.
What: Senate Education Committee Hearing
When: Thursday, February 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: State Capitol, Room 4203
Media Availability: Jim Mahler from CFT will be available for comment at 9:15 a.m. in front of hearing room
Watch on Senate simulcast: www.sen.ca.gov
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