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PCC History

The Depression Years

During the 1930’s Pasadena Junior College suffered from the economic depression affecting the entire country. Pasadena was not as hard-hit as some other areas in Southern California, however, its schools began to feel the impact of the Depression in 1930 and by 1933 the economic crisis forced a reduction of $509,000.00 in the school-wide budget. Everyone was affected by the cutback.

There was a significant increase in attendance at PJC, as the thirteenth and fourteenth grades as twelfth grade graduates were unable to find jobs or afford to go to four-year colleges. Junior college classes were filled to capacity while simultaneously the number of teaching personnel was decreased. Economy measures affected nearly all aspects of the college. The library temporarily suspended purchases of new books and journals and, as expenditures for equipment and upkeep diminished, so did the efficiency of the science, music and physical education programs. The guidance program was the most adversely affected as the number of counselors was reduced from seven to five. This meant that there was approximately one counselor for every 300 students.

Salary reductions were imposed on the faculty to help meet the emergency.

New Rules and Regulations

As the college grew, there were new rules and regulations. Early in February 1930, a new grade "point plan" was introduced: "Grade points are earned by grades at the end of each semester. A’s are three points per unit, B’s two, C’s one, D’s none, and E’s and F’s minus one point per unit." In order to graduate on time students needed to earn an average of two grade points per unit.

Attendance also was factored into grade point calculation. For every ten unexcused absences, three points were subtracted. PJC was a closed campus in 1930 and students caught off campus more than three times during school hours were expelled.


C Building,
Horace Mann Building entrance and steps,
view from NW
Neighborhood north of campus
with snow-covered mountain in background
music hall
Industrial arts building
library, interior
machine shop

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Revised May 16, 2003 by webcoord@pasadena.edu