In the District, a good idea often is abused: Bullied by so-called “stakeholders;” studied, probed and challenged in multiple public hearings, where politics and territorial prerogatives rule. Implementation invariably is delayed.
Last year, the Brookings Institution and D.C. Appleseed prepared a study proposing a community college; the two groups held a symposium; a feasibility analysis was released; D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray convened a roundtable; by meeting’s end, another plan — a “strategic plan” — was proposed.
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Gathering everyone at the table to massage concepts won’t build a first-rate university system. Hard, decisive work is the road to excellence.
Thankfully, University of the District of Columbia President Allen Sessoms understands that. When he arrived more than a year ago, he offered a comprehensive, strategic plan for establishing a flagship university and a community college. Withstanding protests and without fanfare, he began implementing his design for a new UDC. And, to develop his proposal for the Community College of the District of Columbia, he hired Jonathan Gueverra, a well-respected higher-education administrator.
Rather than provide Sessoms and Gueverra a clear path, some folks are determined to micromanage. Walter Smith, head of Appleseed, denies that, of course.
“My skepticism is whether any institution can simultaneously manage a four-year university and a community college,” Smith told me. “All of the key stakeholders want to have a successful community college.”
But, there already are signs of success. Gueverra told me some of the current programs offered at CCDC “don’t exist at other universities.” He has created two new programs. And the institution has attracted more students.
Gueverra disagreed that Smith, the Brookings’ Alice Rivlin and the council are meddling. But he worried about the time required to interact with an array of players. “We’re trying to uncouple a relationship [with UDC] which already is a difficult task.”
Smith said he is “sympathetic” to the challenge facing Gueverra. While Smith said he and others want to be resources, they have endorsed a model for the community college that isn’t aligned with Sessoms’ and Gueverra’s vision. Smith, Rivlin and others would mandate CCDC to completely separate from UDC and establish partnerships with community colleges in Maryland and Virginia; District students could participate in programs at those schools.
CCDC has begun pulling its faculty from UDC. Ultimately, it will secure its own accreditation. But, exporting its students to schools in Maryland and Virginia won’t expand the District’s community college. It would be a financial windfall for institutions whose state governments already have announced cuts in their education budgets.
Understandably, some people doubt a major transformation of UDC can be accomplished. It has had a long history of failures. But Sessoms and Gueverra, thus far, have delivered what they promised. They should be given adequate time, without needless intrusion, to implement their plan. If so-called stakeholders want to help, they should send money. UDC’s subsidy from the District government hasn’t increased for the past decade.
Jonetta Rose Barras, host of WPFW’s “D.C. Politics with Jonetta,” can be reached at [email protected].
