FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 31, 2013

Costumed Halloween March Highlights “Scary” Effect Closure Would Have On Students, Faculty, San Francisco

San Francisco – Having access to higher education denied is a scary prospect for San Francisco’s most vulnerable students. Yet that is the frightening future the City faces if the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) proceeds with its plan to yank City College of San Francisco’s accreditation as of July, 2014, a move that would effectively shutter the college.

Consequently, hundreds of costumed supporters of City College, carrying banners and signs, rallied at the CCSF Civic Center campus today, then marched to City Hall to deliver thousands of postcards to Mayor Ed Lee. The postcards ask the Mayor to join the fight to protect City College and the 80,000 students it serves.

San Francisco’s sole community college provides affordable, quality education and pathways to degrees and jobs. It plays a vital role in serving low-income and immigrant communities, veterans, older adults, displaced workers and many others. CCSF also generates over $300 million in economic benefits to San Francisco, according to a report released September by the city’s budget office. The college is currently appealing the closure decision, and two lawsuits seeking an injunction to keep the college open are pending against the ACCJC.

Alisa Messer, an English instructor and president of the faculty union at City College, said, “We believe San Francisco deserves a comprehensive community college with room for all. San Franciscans depend on City College. Many students, particularly our most marginalized populations who benefit greatly from higher education, have no other viable options.”

Tiffany Monica Louie, a current CCSF student who came up with the idea for postcards to Mayor Lee, added, “City College has always been important to me and my family. Both of my parents attended City College and my brother just enrolled. We started the postcard campaign to create something that everyone could participate in. I thought it was important that all types of students at the college be able to share their experiences, how CCSF helps them, and what City College means to them.”