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This article is about New College of California. For College of California, see College of California.
New College of California
File:New college logo.gif
MottoEducation for a Just, Sacred, and Sustainable World
TypePrivate College
Established1971
Academic staff
150
Students398
Location
San Francisco, California
,
USA
CampusUrban
Websitewww.newcollege.edu
File:NCOC.jpg

New College of California is a small San Francisco based liberal arts college founded in 1971 by Father John "Jack" Leary. It has campuses or facilities in the Mission District and Civic Center neighborhoods of San Francisco, in Oakland, and in Santa Rosa, California. New College offers bachelor's, master's and professional degrees.

History

Father Leary started an experimental liberal arts program which he called "the New College" at Santa Clara University, a private, Jesuit university, which asked him to take the program away as "the Trustees of the University of Santa Clara did not support New College's being at their school." [1]

In 1971, Father Leary brought the New College to his living room in Sausalito. From Father Leary's living room, the school expanded to a warehouse, then a 5 room schoolhouse on Marinship Way, all in Sausalito.[2] New College obtained a former mortuary and funeral parlor at 777 Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission District, for its first real campus. It quickly added a former creamery building on the same block at 766 Valencia.

The 50 Fell St. San Francisco building, a former Navy health clinic, was a gift to New College made around 1978 during the time of the Jimmy Carter administration under 32 USC § 736.1 from the U.S. Navy via the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 1993 New College of California abrogated the terms of the gift and no longer holds title; though the School of Law continues to occupy most of the building under a leaseback arrangement. [3]

New College Today

Currently, New College of California, which consists of the San Francisco and East Bay campuses, is an accredited institution.[4] However, it is currently on probation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for numerous problems, including payroll violations and gross mismanagement.[5] WASC is the accrediting body for colleges and universities in California. In addition, the Department of Education has put The New College of California on heightened cash monitoring, contributing to the precarious financial situation that the college already faces.

The progressive curriculum at New College interlaces critical thinking, self expression, ecological thinking, activism, social responsibility, spirituality and community involvement into its curriculum. The university’s facilities include three theaters, (including the historic Roxie movie theater) a visual arts studio, a union print shop, video editing laboratory, desktop publishing laboratory, and music laboratory. It is primarily a commuter college.

New College of California offers BA, MA, MBA, MFA, and teaching and sciences certificates. The ethnically and culturally diverse academic institution is one of the first educational institution in the country to offer a Sustainable MBA. Programs are based on a "cohort model" which provides students with experiential learning in a group setting.

One of the key components to the curriculum is the community involvement through its service and social action learning internships required of students. Other avenues of community involvement include free and low-fee community legal and mental health clinics run by students in its Schools of Law and Psychology Programs,a Family Literacy Center operated by its Teacher Credential Program,publications such as the New College Review, public political and cultural events organized by its academic programs, the Center for Education and Social Action (CESA) and the New College Institute for Spirituality and Politics.

New College of California School of Law, located on Fell Street near Civic Center, is the oldest public interest law school in the country. It was founded in 1973 during the social justice movements of the 1960s as a response to the need for legal representation of the poor and underserved populations. It is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.

The New College of California's Science Institute was established in 1976 in San Francisco. The Institute provides accredited science units to more than 5,000 working adults seeking missing academic credits required to enter health care professions or academic institutions. In 2006, it opened a campus in Whittier, CA, west of downtown Los Angeles. Both locations offer an accelerated weekend program of: courses in: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics and Human Biology. As of Fall 2007, San Francisco area classes will be taught in Hayward.

New College North Bay Campus in the study of Culture Ecology and Sustainable Community was established in 1998 in downtown Santa Rosa, around the agrarian communities of Sonoma County. Students were exposed to ecologically-focused curriculum, with a predominate focus on building leadership skills. BA and MA Programs include: EcoDwelling, Ecological Agriculture, Consciousness, Healing & Ecology, Holistic Nutrition Education, Holistic Nutrition Consulting, Activism and Social Change. The first accredited Green MBA in the country was born at this campus in 1999 with an emphasis in Sustainable Enterprise. The Green MBA has since relocated to Dominican University. The North Bay Campus is now closed.[6]

One of the community programs that sprung out of the campus is The New College of California's SoCo Biodiesel Co-op (SCBC), a community-based organization that promotes produces, and provide vegetable-based fuel. The Co-op was founded in 2002.

In 2005, New College purchased the Roxie Cinema. [7] The new "Roxie New College Film Center" is the oldest continuously running theatre in San Francisco. It continues to screen progressive independent films, holds the College's Media Studies classes and hosts prominent lecturers and community activities, including a Green Movie night through San Francisco Urban Alliance for Sustainability.

In that same year, New College built a broadcasting studio at the New College Creamery and is said to have partnered with listener-owned, Pacifica Radio Network station KPFA to produce shows from that site, although the nature of any actual or direct partnership with either Pacifica Radio or KPFA Radio has never been verified or made publicly available. Two KPFA program hosts/producers have regularly aired programs using remote broadcasting equipment at New College. The Creamery is now for sale. It also entered into a collaboration with Modern Times, a 35 year-old collectively owned and operated, progressive bookstore located a few doors away on Valencia St. Classes and lectures are held at the bookstore on a regular basis.

During the past five years, New College has added the following programs in San Francisco:

Campuses

New College’s main campus is housed in several buildings in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, CA. The offices at 777 Valencia, and companion buildings across the street, are home to its Humanities-based programs, Media Studies, EPI, a building used to occasionally remote broadcast two KPFA radio programs, and administration offices.
The Law School, a four-story Spanish-style landmark building on Fell St., was designed in 1932 by the architectural firm of Willis Polk. It is within walking distance of City Hall, government offices, and the State Bar of California. New College shares this building with Bay Area Legal Aid, the largest free legal aid services provider in San Francisco, and with the Holt Labor Library. [8]
The Green Living Center was supposed to open in Fall 2007. It was to be located in the former SRO (single room occupancy)Casa Loma Hotel,which was badly damaged by fire and became uninhabitable. The building is currently for sale. Peter Gabel and Rod Holt are lien holders on the Casa Loma.
The East Bay Weekend BA Completion Program in Self-Mastery, Leadership and Resilience In Urban Environments and Global Society is housed at 4550 San Pablo Avenue, in Emeryville, CA, across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco.
The Science Institute classes will be held on the campus of Life Chiropractic College West located at 25001 Industrial Blvd, Hayward, California beginning in the Fall 2007 semester. According to press reports in Brazil [9], the Hayward campus is rented by UNAES [10] for the use of the Science Institute.
The North Bay Campus in Culture Ecology and Sustainable Community is now closed. It was housed at 99 6th Street Santa Rosa, CA, in the turn-of-the-century, brick and mortar, Sperry Flour Factory. The historic building is owned by the Arlene Francis Foundation, a private foundation run by Peter Gabel, former president of New College and Arlene Francis's son.
The Science Institute classes are held at the Southern California University of Health Sciences, 16200 E. Amber Valley Drive in Whittier, California, within 12 miles (19 km) of downtown Los Angeles.

Statistics

  • 398 students (as of Fall 2007)
  • 150 Faculty (including full time and adjunct)

Notable Alumni

  • Eric Mar, Commissioner & past-President, San Francisco Board of Education.
  • Carla Wilson
  • Darrick Smith
  • Frank Williams
  • Juba Kalamka
  • Rodel Rodis
  • Toni Riss
  • Faye D'Opal
  • Ford Greene
  • Norma Castellanos-Perez
  • Linda Lofthus
  • Peggy Flynn
  • Buford Buntin

Notable Faculty

  • Peter Gabel, Ph.D., has been a law professor at New College of California's Law School for 30 years, and served as President for 20 years. Peter graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. from Harvard College in 1968, and Magna Cum Laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1972. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology at The Wright Institute in 1981 and holds a Marriage, Family and Child Counseling License. He has been a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist during the last two decades and was a founder of the Institute for Labor and Mental Health in Oakland. He is the son of the late Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel. His Arlene Francis Foundation loans money to New College and shared space with New College in the Sperry Building.
  • Richard Heinberg is an internationally-known journalist, author, and Peak Oil expert. Mr Heinberg has written seven books include: "The Party's Over," "Powerdown," "The Oil Depletion Protocol," "A New Covenant with Nature," "Cloning the Buddha," "Celebrate the Solstice," and "Memories and Visions of Paradise." He is one of the core faculty at the New College North Bay Campus and teaches courses on Energy and Society, and Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community.
  • Stephen J. Ducat, professor of psychology and author of "The Wimp Factor: Gender Gaps, Holy Wars, and the Politics of Anxious Masculinity."
  • Harry Britt, a gay political activist and former Supervisor for San Francisco, California. He was first appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in January 1979 by Mayor Dianne Feinstein, succeeding Harvey Milk who was assassinated in City Hall along with Mayor George Moscone by another Supervisor Dan White. Britt was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1980, 1984, and 1988. Britt served as President of the Board of Supervisors from 1989-90. Britt chose not to run for reelection in 1992. Britt ran unsuccessfully for the 5th Congressional District of California in 1987, narrowly losing to Nancy Pelosi in a special election to fill the seat left when Sala Burton died. He also was unsuccessful in his race against Mark Leno for the California Assembly in 2002. Britt teaches in the Weekend BA Degree Completion Program.
  • David Meltzer, poet and teacher in the graduate Poetics program at New College of California, as well as in the College’s undergraduate Humanities program. His most recent book of poetry is Beat Thing [La Alameda Press, 2004]. He is the editor and interviewer for San Francisco Beat: Talking With The Poets [City Lights, 2001]. With Steve Dickison, he co-edits Shuffle Boil, a magazine devoted to music in all its appearances and disappearances.
  • Daniel Cassidy, author, teacher, filmmaker, founder and co-director of the Irish Studies Program. His most recent publication is "How the Irish Invented Slang: the Secret Language of the Crossroads", He is also co-founder of the Crossroads Irish-American Festival.
  • Neeli Cherkovski, writer-in-residence. He wrote Ferlinghetti: A Biography, and co-edited the North Beach literary journal Beatitude, Elegy For Bob Kaufman, Whitman's Wild Children, Bukowski: A Life, and most recently, a poetry collection entitled Leaning Against Time.

Clubs, and Student Organizations

New College of California sponsors a number of student organizations, including the Black Law Caucus, Queer Caucus, and National Lawyers Guild Student Alliance.

Business, Community and Spiritual Leaders who have presented at New College:

  • Peter Barnes, Co-founder, Working Assets
  • Kevin Danaher, Founder, Global Exchange and The Green Festivals
  • Matthew Fox, Director of the Institute of Creation Spirituality
  • Randy Hayes, Board President, Rainforest Action Network
  • Michael Lerner, Author of "The Politics of Meaning: Restoring Hope and Possibility in an Age of Cynicism" and Editor of Tikkun Magazine
  • Joanna Macy Buddhist Scholar and Activist
  • Paul Ray, Ph.D., Author, Cultural Creatives

Controversies

Unionization and the humanities department upheaval (1995-1996)

The administration initially fought unionization efforts by faculty and staff in the mid 90s.[11] At the same time, the Humanities department underwent major upheavals.[12] Students were not informed of what was happening in the department as instructors did not show up to teach classes, or new instructors suddenly appeared, replacing popular, longtime instructors.[13]

Wanting more power and a way to show solidarity with their instructors, students organized a group called Pipsqueak!. Pipsqueak! complained to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In February of 1996, WASC required New College to change its governance to include students and faculty.[14] As of this date, 11 years later, students and faculty have no role in decisions made at New College. The board of trustees continues to be self-electing as well.

An outside consultant, Samuel Gerson PhD, was brought in to mediate the dispute within the Humanities department, but was unsuccessful. Gerson's report blamed the administration's lack of formal structures, a point of pride to the administration, which is called "the tyranny of structurelessness" by feminist scholar Jo Freeman. The deliberate lack of formal structures at New College has led to several WASC investigations, the most recent of which ended on June 21, 2007.

In the end, 5 core faculty were either forced out, fired, or resigned voluntarily, depending on who told the story. They were given generous severance packages in return for signing nondisclosure agreements.[15] Faculty and staff joined Service Employees International Union (SEIU),[16] although not all New College workers are allowed into the union.

Graduate psychology department (2005)

In 2005, several New College graduate students in psychology filed complaints with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the accrediting body with jurisdiction over New College, alleging infringements on free speech rights and lack of due process in the termination of faculty members and removal of students from the program. [17] After an investigation, the then-dean of the graduate psychology program, Ali Chavoshian, PhD, was terminated; a faculty member was suspended; and another faculty member received written warnings. The program is currently run by Dean Linda James Myers, PhD. Dean Myers resigned as Academic Vice President as of July 18, 2007.

Alliance of Students for Autonomous Power

In 2005, students reacted to the firing of popular Graduate Psychology Director Ali Chavosian, and the demotions of Media Studies appointed Co-Directors Jon Garfield and Foster by organizing and protesting. They created a group called Alliance of Students for Autonomous Power (ASAP)and published a newsletter, Student Action! ASAP complained about lack of democratic principles and accountability in the administration to WASC, which investigated yet again. They also complained about racism on campus, which they felt was a factor in the treatment of Profs. Chavosian and Foster.

The demands of ASAP included:

  • The re-hiring of Ali Chavoshian.
  • A completely transparent school budget.
  • An end to constant tuition hikes.
  • The formation of a council composed of students, workers, faculty, and administration that would regularly meet, discuss, and resolve this issue as well as the many other school issues (such as the tuition hike). Decisions would be democratic and based on the input of all, not the whims of the Administration.[18]

The Leary scandal (2006-2007)

On September 8, 2006, the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus issued an official statement acknowledging that Father John Leary, the founder of New College, had sexually abused boys and young men during his tenure at Gonzaga University, a private Catholic university. Before issuing this statement, they called New College President Martin Hamilton and informed him of this information.[19]

President Hamilton did not inform the New College faculty, alumni, or student body. He gave an interview to SF Weekly, which became the cover story of the October 10th issue. This created a major controversy within the New College community. Students, faculty and alumni formed a community group, Stop Systems of Silence (SSOS), which included members of ASAP.

SSOS demanded a public meeting to inform the community and explain why the community wasn't properly notified about Leary; services for survivors of sexual abuse; and a letter of notification to be sent to all students and alumni regarding the founder's history of sexual abuse. Rather than an informational meeting, the administration held a Healing Forum, moderated by Dean Linda James Myers of the graduate psychology department (and co-moderated by two students at student insistence). The administration promised follow up meetings, which never occurred.

The Healing Forum was held on Nov. 1, 2006, in the New College Cultural Center. During the Healing Forum, a student called for Martin Hamilton's resignation. An alumna gave him a pink slip labeled "Martin Hamilton You're Fired!" a la Code Pink and told Hamilton he could "resign for health reasons". SSOS arranged for counselors from SF Women Against Rape to stand by for emergency counseling during the Healing Forum, and to give free services for anyone in the New College community affected by the Leary scandal.

Alleged rape of student by acting registrar (December 2006)

On Dec. 13, 2006, a new article surfaced in SF Weekly, Allegation 101. This time, a work-study student claimed that a staff member in the registrar's office raped her. She and the staff member allegedly had been dating for several months. She went to president Martin Hamilton. Hamilton did not offer services to the student in connection with her complaint, did not immediately begin a formal investigation of the incident, nor did Hamilton put the staff member on administrative leave pending investigation. An informal investigation was begun a short time later and many New College personnel were questioned regarding the matter. The incident was not reported to the police nor did Hamilton urge the alleged victim to do so. Hamilton admitted everything in his interview with SF Weekly reporter Matt Smith. Hamilton admitted that there is no policy against administrators, faculty or staff dating students. Hamilton added that he himself has dated students and sees nothing wrong with it.

After the article and the subsequent outcry, the staff member was transferred to another department. He no longer has direct contact with students as part of his job. He is no longer employed at New College.

Banning of the Clothesline Project at New College (April 2007)

During the Spring 2007 semester, several students in the ASC program tried to create an exhibit for the Clothesline Project, a rape awareness art installation which usually is not controversial. Participants decorate T shirts and display them using clothesline and clothespins. The students wanted to spend an evening in the college cafe creating the T shirts, which would be displayed for 9 days. The project was to be a collaboration with SF WAR in preparation for their annual Walk Against Rape fund raiser. Dean Linda James Myers refused permission, without explanation, according to student organizers and SF WAR.

ASC program upheaval (Spring 2007)

At the end of the Spring 2007 semester, both of the co-directors of the Activism and Social Change Program at New College resigned, with one leaving entirely. Co-Director Rachel Stryker wrote an open letter explaining that her resignation was a direct result of the Leary Scandal and other abuses of power by the New College administration. She called for WASC to investigate. Kai Lundgren-Williams, a core faculty member who helped design the program, also left. Then the final remaining co-director Helene Vosters resigned as well. In response, all but four of the students in the ASC program decided to transfer out and no new students entered the program in Fall 2007. A small few chose to stay, but organize for a student government and reformation of New College's administration. Students from other departments, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as former faculty and staff have joined together to reform New College, creating several email lists and holding meetings off campus.

Changes in governance to comply with WASC standards (July 2007)

During the week of July 16, 2007, New College held its first school-wide faculty meeting in its 35 year history. The full time faculty formed a Core Faculty Council which met and gave a vote of no-confidence in President Martin Hamilton. The part time faculty formed an Adjunct Faculty Council.

On July 18, 2007 the newly-formed Adjunct Faculty Council issued a press release stating “We the Adjunct Council, in solidarity with the Core Faculty Council, ask for cross representation towards our common goals. We support the core faculty vote of no-confidence and support the call for new administrative leadership. Further, we call for the immediate replacement of the Board of Trustees, President, and Academic Co-Vice Presidents in compliance with the demands of WASC.” [20]

On July 18, 2007 the first Ad Hoc Coalition meeting was held with representatives of the Core and Adjunct Faculty Councils, students, staff, and alumnae. After the meeting, students decided to form a Student Council. Alumni and alumnae decided to form an Independent Alumni/ae Association.

On July 19, 2007 Academic Vice President Linda James Myers resigned. She continued to be Dean of Graduate Psychology. Academic Vice President Michael Macavoy had previously stepped down. He remains Director of the Activism and Social Change Program. Half of the Board of Trustees has resigned, however no press release was issued and no names have been released. The board designated a three member transition team. It is not known at this time who is on the team. On August 5, 2007, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Martin Hamilton had resigned as New College president.[21]

As of Dec. 21, 2007 Linda James Myers and her husband, former director of the East Bay program, were no longer working for New College. Currently Luis Molina is interim President of New College.

Financial problems

While acting President Luis Molina denies that bankruptcy is being considered,[22]operations at the school have virtually ceased as of January, 2008. [23] [24] The Casa Loma Hotel and the Creamery are for sale [25]. As of January 31, 2008, faculty and staff members have not been paid for three months. On February 1, 2008, their health insurance was terminated without notice. While the law school continues to function at a minimal level, the Spring 2008 semester at the Valencia campus has been suspended indefinitely due to the absence of basic student services, including a registrar, and financial aid. Internet, garbage, and security services have ceased, while other services are threatened due to nonpayment of bills. Nevertheless, the Board of Trustees remains incommunicado, while the remaining members of the transitional team, consisting now only of former Board member Luis Molina and Brazilian financial advisor Francisco Leite, have been ineffective in restoring basic functionality.

Public Records

References

  1. ^ President's Speech at the LGBT Community Center by Martin Hamilton, July 21 2005
  2. ^ Mike Frost, Class of '76
  3. ^ 104 STAT. 1476 PUBLIC LAW 101-509-NOV. 5,1990
  4. ^ ["Statement of Accreditation Status". WASC. Retrieved 2007-09-29. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ "New College of Weirdness". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  6. ^ "New College suspends North Bay program". North Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  7. ^ SF Weekly. Coming Soon: The New Roxie, Ryan Blitstein, 1/11/06
  8. ^ Collection Description - The Holt Labor Library was established in 1992
  9. ^ - Dourados News edition on 17 January 2007
  10. ^ UNAES - New College Cooperation agreement
  11. ^ New College Gets Organized, New Mission News, Nov. 1996, pg. 11.
  12. ^ New College humanities profs get the ax in recent layoffs,The City Voice, pg. 2, Aug. 4, 1995
  13. ^ five core faculty shucked, embryonic student coalition asks: what the hell is going on? Pipsqueak!, Summer of 95, Squeak! Number One
  14. ^ New College Gets Organized, New Mission News, Nov. 1996, pg. 11.
  15. ^ New College humanities profs get the ax in recent layoffs,The City Voice, pg. 2, Aug. 4, 1995
  16. ^ SEIU Welcomes New College Employees
  17. ^ School of Graduate Psychology Report
  18. ^ Student Action!,newsletter,Alliance of Students for Autonomous Power, no date
  19. ^ Resignation Letter from ASC Program Director Rachael Stryker
  20. ^ Adjunct Faculty Council Press Release 7/18/07
  21. ^ Embattled school's president resigns
  22. ^ ["On the Brink of Bankruptcy". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2007-10-29. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  23. ^ "Is New College Dying?". SF Bay Guardian. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  24. ^ "Struggling New College may close one campus". SF Business Times. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  25. ^ "Casa Loma is up for sale". SF Business Times. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

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