Prop 92 Ensures College Ed for All

January 23, 2008

Dear Editor,

Community Colleges have been a gateway to a better life for millions of Californians. The demand for community colleges continues to grow and we need to ensure that our colleges remain affordable and have the resources they need to serve that growing population. Proposition 92 on the Feb. 5 ballot would do just that by providing adequate, stable funding and limiting fees.

For those who question whether California can afford the cost of Proposition 92, perhaps the better question is can we afford not to invest in our greatest asset, our people. According to a 2005 UC Berkeley study, for every dollar spent on community colleges, California taxpayers realize an additional $3. The biggest mistake we can make during the current fiscal crisis is to neglect our human capital for the future.

At Santa Monica College, we’re proud to have transferred tens of thousands of students to four-year universities and provided crucial training to workers in a wide range of professions, including nursing, computer technology, new media and early childhood education. These highly trained workers are needed more than ever.

For many Californians, community college is the only opportunity they have to get a college education. By passing Proposition 92, we can ensure that everyone has a chance to go to college and we invest in a stronger California for all of us.

Yours,

Rob Rader
Chair, Santa Monica College Board of Trustees