At least 250 state-funded credit classes are expected to be offered as part of Santa Monica College’s reinstated six-week winter program that will return Jan. 2, 2013, the college announced Tuesday.
SMC officials say they will proceed with a full offering of general education classes and programs, formulated in the spirit of the Proposition 30 election victory on Nov. 6, which is based on evidence of an improving state economy and outreach to potential private partnerships for assistance.
SMC’s Board of Trustees’ unanimously voted Sept. 6, 2012 to cease winter classes due to budget cuts.
Classes will begin Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. Class listings will be available online this Tuesday, Nov. 27 and registration for the state-funded classes begins Dec. 3.
“Proposition 30 provides stability with regard to State funding,” said SMC President Chui L. Tsang. “For the good of our students and for the good of our State, we are acting now to restore our winter class offerings.”
Efforts to secure private assistance are ongoing.
The Associated Students of Santa Monica College and a number of private donors have each indicated enthusiasm for the restoration effort. Donations in support of the class offerings can be made online at foundation.smc.edu.
The session will also include an innovative offering for international students, who pay the full cost of their instruction and do not rely on State assistance.
The restored winter program is expected to help more than 10,000 students make progress towards completion of their degrees or certificates.
SMC pioneered the winter intersession in California in 1992 offering a six-week session that made it possible for SMC to operate year-round and helped students accelerate their progress.
For the past 21 years, the size of the program has fluctuated to as high as more than 800 classes to last year’s 400 classes.
Prop. 30 increases personal income tax for the next seven years for individuals who earn more than $250,000 annually. The passage also means increased sales and use tax by ¼ cent for four years.
