Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a $10 million cut from the Extended Opportunities Programs and Services budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year, leaving those in need with even fewer resources. During a time when everyone is looking for help and the needy are worse off than usual, slashing the funding for EOPS is like taking crutches away from a one-legged man.
The EOPS program is aimed at individuals affected by varied circumstances. Those new to the country, single parents with low incomes, people dealing with legal trouble, and individuals of low educational levels may all benefit from EOPS services.
The 2009-10 EOPS allocation was an estimated $70 million. While that may sound like a lot of money, it was stretched between 111 California community colleges, including some of the largest in the nation. Los Angeles alone has seven community college campuses with EOPS programs, whose allocations last year added up to just under $6.5 million.
EOPS provides counselors, tutors, child care programs, extra computer labs, assistance for academic planning and assistance buying books.
“It would be devastating,” City College EOPS Director Alvin Jenkins said. “We are not going to let it happen.”
“It would be devastating,” City College EOPS Director Alvin Jenkins said. “We are not going to let it happen.”
There is no way to look past the obvious truth that almost everyone is in a bad way right now. From faculty to
