The 2010 summer session courses have been completely cut from the Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula due to budget cuts.
According to Art Sanford, East Campus coordinator of off-campus programs, the campus usually serves 600 to 700 students during the summer session.
In addition to the summer session cuts, it is a possibility that after the lease is up in the summer of 2011, East Campus may be discontinued.
“It’s kind of sad to see because we’ve done so much here,” said Administrative Assistant Sabrina Canola.
During the summer, East Campus offers a variety of general education and transfer courses to Santa Paula students according to Medical Assistant Front-Office Instructor Linda Davis.
“We don’t lack for students,” said Davis. “It’s a lack of funding.”
East Campus also offers English as a Second Language courses to Santa Paula students who speak alternate languages.
The campus also provides GED preparation software to help students pass the high school equivalency exam.
Without the summer courses at East Campus many students will find it hard to balance their schedules with the commute to Ventura.
Ana Zavala, a 21-year-old mother of an 11-month-old baby, is among the many who will be affected by this change. Zavala is currently taking the medical assistant class offered in Santa Paula.
“Being a mom is like a full time job,” said Zavala. “Coming here is much more convenient than going to Ventura.”
Students are also feeling the pressure of the possible 2011 closure of East Campus that will be determined in the fall of 2010 depending on the budget situation.
“It’s bad, bad news,” said Zavala. “I have to get what I can done before then.”
Sentiments are similar in administration about the summer cut backs, especially since after 30 years of serving Santa Paula students. However, Sanford has tried to make students aware that classes will still be offered in the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 at East Campus in Santa Paula and that the 2011 closure is not yet definite.
“We haven’t given up hope,” said Sanford.