PCC Facts & Transparency

BENEFIT: CLASSES FOR EVERY STUDENT, NOT JUST A FEW

One way to think about the calendar is that all students will have "winter session" classes that begin on January 7 rather than a mere handful of students benefitting. The severe state funding cuts for 2012-2013 already had forced the District to eliminate most winter session classes so that the District would stay within its state funding and its historical policy of going over state-mandated enrollment by no more than 2%. Under the old calendar, PCC would have had the very odd result of a winter session, but no winter session classes. The newly approved calendar insures that all students will have classes in the winter starting January 7.

THINK OF IT AS "16-6" INSTEAD OF "6-16"

Another way to think about the calendar change is that under the old calendar, winter and spring were scheduled as "6-16": a six-week winter session and a 16-week spring semester. The new calendar merely flips that to a "16-6" pattern: a regular spring semester for all, followed by six-week summer session that finishes by the end of June. The result is more classes available for students in less calendar time.

QUESTION:
So if all you're doing is flipping the calendar, why not just keep the calendar as it is?

ANSWER:
The primary reason for the calendar change is to improve student success. The current calendar was itself an experiment that began only in 2004. Since that time state data show that PCC's student success outcomes have flat lined or declined, especially among basic skills students, our most at-risk students for not completing. Data shows that students in basic skills English, ESL and math usually complete at higher rates when instruction occurs consistently over an academic year without a long winter break.

QUESTION:
Why can't the District just fund extra winter session classes under the same calendar as it always has done?

ANSWER:
The severe state funding cuts for 2012-2013 already had forced the District to eliminate most winter session classes. At the Board meeting of September 5, the Trustees adopted a fiscal year 2012 - 2013 budget that would stay within its state funding and its historical policy of going over state-mandated enrollment by no more than 2%. Under the old calendar, PCC would have had a winter session, but no winter session classes. The newly approved calendar insures that all students will have classes in the winter starting on January 7.

QUESTION:
Why is this called a "tentative" calendar? Should I plan to be here on January 7^th or not?

ANSWER:
The Board of Trustees has already approved and adopted the new calendar and fully intends for it to be implemented this year. In the official action item before the Board of Trustees, the calendar was termed "tentative" due to the legal requirement that the District negotiate with its faculty and staff unions about the impacts on their wages and working conditions of this calendar change. To be clear, the negotiation with the faculty and staff unions is not about whether the calendar will be implemented. It is about addressing the negotiable effects of the change on faculty and staff. The calendar change can go forward while these negotiations continue.

So, as a practical matter, all faculty, staff and students should plan on the calendar change and should plan to start classes on Monday, January 7, 2013. By October 1, or thereabouts, the administration will make a final announcement on the operational details of implementing the new calendar.

QUESTION:
I'm a student planning to graduate and transfer in the spring and I was planning to take a winter session class to meet the requirements of my educational plan? What do I do now?

ANSWER:
You will still get the class you need. (But, first, remember that under the old calendar there were no classes offered during the winter session.)

All students who are in this situation and who are within 12-18 units of graduation/transfer will be identified and given the classes they need. If you are in this situation, email calendarhotline@pasadena.edu.

QUESTION:
I'm a student and I was planning to work full time or travel during the winter. Now what do I do?

ANSWER:
You still can work or be away for January 7- February 15. We will be scheduling a late spring session of classes to meet the needs of such students. If you are in this situation, email calendarhotline@pasadena.edu.

QUESTION:
OK, so when and how will I register and get my classes for the spring semester?

ANSWER:
There's plenty of time. You will register the way you always have on the PCC website. You will be assigned a registration date based on your priority.

Registration assignment dates for continuing students will be posted on Lancerlink on October 1. New/Returning students will be emailed their registration assignment dates upon confirmed receipt of their admission application.

It's so important to make an appointment to see a counselor now to set up your spring classes, while it is less busy.

QUESTION:
Will the fall 2013 term finish after the holiday break?

ANSWER:
No. The fall term will be scheduled to finish before the holiday break as usual. This includes finals and the submission of grades by faculty.

QUESTION:
When will the spring 2013 class schedule be available/ posted online?

ANSWER:
The spring 2013 class schedule will be on the PCC website as usual by mid to late October.

QUESTION:
Will the new calendar cost students more in fees?

ANSWER:
No. Enrollment and tuition fees in spring 2013 will remain unchanged: 12 units at $46/unit, plus $13 Health Fee, $1 ASB Fee and $10 Student Activity Fee per term.

QUESTION:
Will there be summer classes?

ANSWER:
Yes. The first six-week summer session begins on May 13 and ends June 21. The second six-week summer session is scheduled for June 24 and ends August 2.

The state budget cuts still may not make extra summer classes available, but students who need a class to get to a university in September will get what they need. Note: CSU's and UC's have minimum requirements for admission (e.g. completion of the golden four and 60 units by the end of spring term). Please contact a counselor or university representative for more information.

To be eligible for guaranteed summer session I courses, students must provide the Degree and Transfer Center with the following information per dates posted:

• Before 12/7/12: A list of all CSU and UC campuses to which fall 2013 applications were submitted and the transfer major declared
• Before 3/1/13: A list of all independent campuses to which fall 2013 applications were submitted and the transfer major declared
• Upon immediate receipt from independent institutions: admission status notice and/or requirements
  

QUESTION:
I'm a full-time faculty member and I'm not scheduled to teach in the winter and I have already made other plans to be away. What do I do?

ANSWER:
This may be an "impact on working conditions". First, make this clear to your union so that they can negotiate such issues with the District. The District is prepared to accommodate faculty in this situation and there are a number of ways that this accommodation can be done without any disruption to you or the class schedule.

QUESTION:
I'm a faculty member and I'm scheduled to teach a new course in the Spring and I was counting on the winter break to prepare.

ANSWER:
This is also an example of a possible "impact" of the calendar change and faculty should make the Faculty Association aware of this situation. Again, the administration is prepared to work closely with the Faculty Association to accommodate faculty in this kind of situation. There will also be a number of special meetings in the next few weeks with the Academic Senate and the Committee on Academic and Professional Matters (CAPM) so that the administration can address any and all faculty issues. If you are in this situation, email calendarhotline@pasadena.edu.

QUESTION:
I'm a classified staff member and I've heard that there may be furloughs this January. Is this so?

ANSWER:
No. When the Board adopted the new calendar, it also eliminated the need to ask managers and staff to furlough during the winter session when no classes would be in session. The adopted budget proposed to the Board for FY2012-2013 does not include furloughs for managers or staff. The administration has therefore instructed General Counsel to rescind its previous request to negotiate the possibility of furloughs for January. If you are in this situation, email calendarhotline@pasadena.edu.