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Four Hundred and seventy thousand community college students in California are currently on waiting lists to register for classes this fall semester, according to a survey just released by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The survey included information gathered from 78 of the 112 community colleges in California and found deep cutbacks affecting both students and faculty. In addition to reducing enrollment and the number of classes being offered which put students on waiting lists, staff cutbacks were being made at 87% of the colleges which responded, and 82% of the surveyed schools were not planning on offering any winter session. Enrollment at community colleges was down by 17% over last year.

The overall bleak state of California’s community college system, which is the largest one in the nation, reflects the $809 million in cuts to state education funding since 2008. Voters are now being asked to approve a tax measure proposed by California Governor Jerry Brown in November called Proposition 30 to provide an additional $210 million dollars to fund community colleges. Democratic Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed $8.3 billion dollars in budget cuts have sliced into the heart of many education, health and welfare programs throughout California which is the world’s 9th largest economy.

While community college students suffer from cuts, the LA Times recently reported that the Los Angeles Community College district will continue with a $6 billion dollar spending plan for new construction projects. The building plans had been put on hold after findings of gross mismanagement and overspending.

GUEST: Jonathan Lightman, Executive Director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges

Click here to download the full survey.