College tries two-tier prices for in-demand classes
By Christina Hoag
SANTA MONICA (AP) — After three years of reducing class offerings, one of California’s biggest community colleges now plans to start adding them — but at quadruple the price.
Under a new program designed to cope with rising student demand as state funds dwindle, Santa Monica College will form a separate nonprofit foundation to offer core courses for about $600 each, or about $200 per unit.
The program, approved by the college’s board of trustees last week for a summer launch, will be offered in addition to the regular courses that are currently priced at $108, or $36 per unit, but are slated to go up to $138 per course this summer under state law.
“Demand is huge across the board,” said college spokesman Bruce Smith. “The
Santa Monica College's two-tier pricing gets scholarship donation
Santa Monica College's two-tier pricing gets scholarship donation
Santa Monica College’s plan to offer some high-demand classes at a premium cost received a boost Thursday with the announcement of a $250,000 donation to support scholarships for students who qualify.
The donors are businessman Daniel Greenberg and his wife, attorney and civic activist Susan Steinhauser, two long-time supporters whose previous giving has centered on the Broad Stage of the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center.
The two-year college approved a plan last week believed to be the first of its kind in the nation that would offer core education classes such as English and math at a cost of about $200 per unit alongside state-funded courses. Beginning this summer, those classes will cost $46 per unit.
Officials said the plan will allow students to enroll in classes they need to transfer and obtain degrees, an effort that has been hampered in recent years because of state funding cuts. But some academic experts have
The donors are businessman Daniel Greenberg and his wife, attorney and civic activist Susan Steinhauser, two long-time supporters whose previous giving has centered on the Broad Stage of the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center.
The two-year college approved a plan last week believed to be the first of its kind in the nation that would offer core education classes such as English and math at a cost of about $200 per unit alongside state-funded courses. Beginning this summer, those classes will cost $46 per unit.
Officials said the plan will allow students to enroll in classes they need to transfer and obtain degrees, an effort that has been hampered in recent years because of state funding cuts. But some academic experts have