When the California Master Plan for Higher Education unfolded in 1960, the framers intended that student access to college would be a cornerstone of its success. It specifically targeted community colleges as a mechanism for dramatically changing lives. And this was particularly true for minorities and women who were traditionally disenfranchised. Indeed, it was a visionary approach to making certain that all Californians would have an opportunity to enroll and obtain postsecondary education if they were interested and could profit from doing so.

For over 40 years, this philosophical and practical value has guided the Community College movement to the point of being viewed as one of the most important inventions of higher education in the 20th Century. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have profited from a California community college education and now serve in influential positions throughout the world. It particularly gave those with the least amount of hope and opportunity the tools to achieve their educational goals. Hartnell College, one of the 108 Community Colleges in the State and among the eight oldest, has been a ray of sunshine for the residents of the Salinas Valley and Monterey County.

Nevertheless, a dark cloud has been forming across the State and it threatens a serious downpour on those who most need educational and occupational training. Specifically, it will shut tight the door to tens of thousands of students over the next ten years, thus dooming them to an uncertain economic future, and California with a less than prepared citizenry.

Recent research uncovered the unusually low college participation rate of adult Californians, particularly in the City of Salinas, and serves only as an indicator of what is to come. Arguably, such a claim is evident in a recent report entitled "California's Investment in Public Education: A Look at the Past Decades," by Tom Nussbaum, State Chancellor for California Community Colleges. He has rightly stated, "California Community Colleges have become less accessible over time and the state is now entering a period during which it will begin to reduce enrollments, rather than address the demand to serve 600,000 additional students by the year 2010." Commonly referred to as Tidal Wave II, these students are enrolling now and will continue to do so for the next ten years and beyond.

More evidence is available from Hartnell College, a federally designated Hispanic Service Institution located in Salinas, California, and from the other 108 Community Colleges across the State of California. For example, in Fall and Spring 2003, the college trimmed its course offerings by 15-20% in response to a state mandate: froze teacher hiring; reduced enrollment in academic programs; consolidated management positions; and is now in the process of gearing up for the possibility of a 2004 mid-year correction. Moreover, Fall 2003 offerings are down 20-25%. Specifically for Fall 2003, we are offering 200 plus fewer sections compared to Fall 2002. The outcome has resulted in denial of access to more than 2,000 students. I would stated that our sister colleges--Cabrillo College, Monterey Peninsula and Gavilan College have similar stories to tell. Combined, it is speculated that this year, more than 10,000 interested students were denied access in some form or another and that may be the beginning of a trend.

The convergence of state budget woes, abrupt increases in student fees, reduced funding or shifting of funding priorities, complex formulas that seem to punish creativity rather than reward it, and confused state policy, all have made it virtually impossible for community colleges to make good on the state's promise in the Master Plan for Higher Education, i.e., access to all. It is troubling to me that this denial of access is occurring at a time when the traditionally disenfranchised and immigrant students are showing more interest in attaining a higher degree of learning and training. It is equally disturbing when you consider the fact that the State of California is an ethnic minority state, with a majority of its population comprised of traditionally ethnic minority populations--African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and females.

Community colleges deserve more serious attention. They are not the junior college many people fondly remember. Instead, they are comprehensive institutions with programs and services that meet the needs of a ever-growing complex and demanding student body and community. As an example of this, Hartnell College serves nearly 10,500 students. More than half are Latinos, followed by a healthy mixture of Whites, African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and, of course, international students. Agriculture, Nursing, Engineering, Media Technology, English, Science and Math and a rigorous athletics program reflect just a sampling of its offerings. It contributes mightily to the workforce of the community.

Across the State of California, community colleges serve more than a million plus students, compared to the combined student populations of all the UCs, and CSUs totaling nearly 800,000. Community colleges are major providers of the workforce needed in industry at the local, state, national and increasingly the international levels. They are reservoirs for CSU and UC junior enrollments and tend to be on par or better than their age cohorts entering the university as freshmen. They are the training center for industry leaders seeking young qualified talent. And as President George Bush pointed out in his news conference July 30, 2003, "Community colleges are adaptable, with curriculum that is easy to change; they are everywhere." And while the President went on to say they are accessible, he is not fully cognizant of the challenges facing California Community Colleges.

Hartnell Community College has served the Salinas Valley for more than eight-years and along with the other 108 community colleges, these are the "little engines that could." They have paved the way for many citizens to access learning and training opportunities to afford them a better life. They have been beacons of light for hundreds of thousands of citizens. However, that light is slowly fading, and when it has totally faded access for students will be denied. And we will be asked, what happened to our chance? And why?

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Edward J. Valeau is entering his 9th year as the Superintendent/President of Hartnell Community College in Salinas, California. He is also the Chair of the American Association of Community College Legislative and Policy Commission.