- Changing student population poses many challenges to South Central Los Angeles
- Posted By:
- Chris J
- Posted On:
- 18-Sep-2009
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There is a significant increase in the number of minority population including Latinos. The schools and colleges face quite a bit of challenges in view of this changing trend. One of the most prominent examples is the Los Angeles South West College. The fall of 2000 semester saw a rise of black population to 78 percent. 19% of students were Latino. 13% of the students were Spanish.
This black majority figure in this community college increased to 98% enrolment in the year 1980.The rapid demographic shifts make it difficult for South West to handle the situation forcing it to decide on whether it should continue to serve as melting pot. According to Dr. Janice Hollis, the Vice President of academic affairs, southwest, a lot of adjustments are being made and we can prosper only by learning during the process.
Another community college trustee says it is vital to anchor history and grow. The college must not be considered to be only a black college but must be open to and attract other students as well. This is possible only by providing a solid academic program.
Southwest struggles to achieve this with minimal resources. For instance, this institute has increase the number of classes for those wishing to write naturalized citizenship exams. Another program initiated by this institute is the certified nursing program which is predominantly dominated by Latino students.
Today we can see Southwest officials frequenting the local Church Sunday services at Korean as well as Latino congregations to recruit more students. Their aim is to reach out to more numbers of multiracial groups such as Panamanians and Armenians who are moving into Los Angeles.
Southwest, as of now, is the smallest of the community college district of Los Angeles. Severe lack of funding restricts their development to a great extent. Hollis says there is not enough money to do what they want to do. According to her, the school may have to resort to including ESL or English as a Second Language classes to rope in more dollars.
Lack of Federal assistance is due to the fact that Southwest is not really a well defined historically recognized black colleges. However, black cultural outlets such as forums and film festivals still form a major part of college activities. Hollis also denies any rumours of significant ethnic rift between the blacks and Latinos at Southwest.
The predominant racial mixing across the country may result in many more colleges like this. For instance, the community college district in Dallas saw an enrolment of 21% blacks in the year 2000. At the Mountain View College, this semester saw an enrolment of 29% blacks and 35% Latinos.
A lot of urban areas are poised to receive an influx of more number of Latinos and other coloured communities developing a strong need for recruiting minority strongholds in the faculty. Southwest is skilfully adopting to the changing trends by stabilizing its administration to address the essential immediate needs of the college.