They know a C gets them in. We admit people who would not have gotten in before. We are getting students who are not prepared. The situation is similar at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo where Ann Grant, dean of science, mathematics, nursing, and physical education, notes that nursing program attrition has risen to 42 percent. The most important impact of the change at Cuesta is financial, Grant says.
Weaker students require additional programs and support.
We are providing additional counseling, both academically and personally. Community colleges vice chancellor Morrow looks askance at such complaints, saying the open admissions policy mandated by the legislature applies to other programs in high demand as well. California Community Colleges vice chancellor and general counsel Black offers little sympathy for programs wanting to return to their old admissions strategies. Community colleges chancellor Nussbaum acknowledges the problems some nursing programs are experiencing and has convened a task force to address them. Morrow is a member of the task force along with Black, three nursing program directors, and some of Nussbaum's more vocal critics.