City College of SF may lose Filipino courses

By Rommel Conclara, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

April 21, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO – City College of San Francisco has a legacy of giving many Filipinos the opportunity of a college education while also learning about their culture but due to the recent accreditation issues, City College is facing possible closure.

This news is turning away students from enrolling in the school and without enough students, Filipino courses cannot be offered.

“Our message to the Filipino-American community is that City College is open,” Jeanne Batallones, the Department Chair of Philippine Studies at CCSF, said. “We are accredited. We have a home here for Filipinos. We have the only Filipino studies program in the nation and it exists here in City College of San Francisco. We have been here since the 1970s. We urgently need Filipinos to enroll here at City College because we are a community serving institution and that’s part of our legacy.”

“Research shows that positive ethinic identity development positively impacts academic achievement,” Battalones added. “When students know who they are and where they come from it not only improves their sense of self and their self-esteem, it also gives them clear direction.”

Batallones highlights that lack of fulltime teachers and counselors are reasons why students are not getting the most help from the school.

Former Board of Trustee President Rodel Rodis adds that the loss of fulltime teachers like former chair Dr. Leo Paz is another reason why Filipino courses are disappearing.

“Now with Dr. Leo Paz’ retiring, he was teaching three of four classes,” Rodis said. “Those classes are going to be replaced because the full time position he had was frozen. So that has reduced the number of classes Filipino studies has available to offer this semester and next semester.”

Fil-Am Edward Isip, who majors in history, says despite problems with accreditation and budget cuts, City College should keep its Filipino courses because it benefited many students like him.

“The faculty, they give you a lot of confidence about yourself,” Isip said. “And that’s why I want other Filipino students to enroll at City College — because I want them to succeed because I’m part of that success.”