by David Lau, CCFT Communications Director
ACCJC on Life Support
ACCJC, the troubled accreditor of Cabrillo College and the entire California Community College system, faced a difficult few weeks in March. A majority of California Community College Presidents voted against the accreditor. The upshot of the vote was the development of two planning groups, through the auspices of the CCC Board of Governors, to study reforming ACCJC. During the same weeks, the Federal Department of Education gave ACCJC until October 10th to report back about possible progress toward the many mandated changes imposed by the Feds after the violation of numerous regulations and laws. The ACCJC continues to take that position that it has done nothing wrong. The notoriously arrogant Barbara Beno may argue to the Feds that the formation of these study groups is enough to allow ACCJC to muddle through. Meanwhile the hunt is on for another accreditor for California’s Community Colleges.
CCSF on Strike
City College of San Francisco remains the crossroads of the struggle with ACCJC. As decisions against the accreditor mount, AFT local 2121 executed the first strike in its history and one of the few strikes in the entire history of the California Community College system. The ACCJC’s actions against the college have meant years of reductions, pay cuts and layoffs. The cost of living in San Francisco, meanwhile, has truly skyrocketed. Years of cuts to courses mean 20,000 fewer students currently attend CCSF’s eleven campuses. While faculty have been working to rebuild the college, , the college proposes shrinking 26% in the next 6 years. The strike was called over unfair labor practices. The district’s bargaining has been influenced by the accrediting commission, which is a clear violation of the law. On the day of the April 27 strike, CFT Spokesman Fred Glass said picket lines were spirited.
Lower Court Ruling against Friedrichs Upheld
The death of Antonin Scalia has left the Supreme Court with eight sitting justices. The immediate consequence of this situation has redounded to public sector unions, as the justices split evenly four to four in the Friedrichs v. CTA case we have been covering here in the newsletter. When there is an even split at the Supreme Court level, the lower court ruling remains in force. In the Friedrichs case, a lower court ruled in favor of public sector unions collecting agency fee, upholding the precedent set in the Abood case. For now, it appears public sector unions have dodged a real bullet. So much will depend on who is appointed as the next justice of the Supreme Court.
Unionist of the Year
Longtime Communications Instructor Dan Rothwell is CCFT’s Unionist of the Year. Dan has been our lead negotiator with the district. He is admired on the executive board and CCFT council for his insight and his passionate commitment to Cabrillo College, where he has taught for thirty years. Dan Rothwell has been a fearless, effective voice for faculty and student interests throughout a distinguished career as an educator and author. As an advocate for faculty, he is inclusive of both full-time and adjunct interests, always understanding that we are most effective together. As an advocate for students, he demands that school resources be used in ways that will benefit their learning. 
He is the guy you want at the negotiating table when the other side fails to take you seriously because he will insist on respect, but also when things get tense because he will make a joke and let everyone breathe again.