Contact
Subscribe


The Ezra Denney Chair of Useless Knowledge

Jun 22, 2009
By .
Politics & Current Events

City College in San Francisco is struggling, as are many schools in this challenging economic climate. There is the possibility that 800 classes (ranging from staples like Biology or Photography to more esoteric fare like Advanced King Fu and, my new favorite class, Psychology of Shyness and Self-Esteem) will be cancelled.

How does one start to address this issue? Well, if you pay $6,000 they will save the class and name it after you. Imagine the possibilities here. Instant Academic credibility, for only $6,000. How impressive would having a class named after you be? And, even better you get to pick the class. The list of available classes is here.

I propose we take up a collection, and sponsor a class. Perhaps Advanced Kung Fu, or something in Comparative religion? Maybe Motorcycle Engine Overhaul? I love the idea of Popehat Presents Water Aerobics…

In all seriousness, these cuts really are tragic, and they aim at those who need the help the most. Our community college system is one of the few opportunities for those who fall between the cracks, either financially or academically, to get a degree or transfer to a better school. In many ways, it is the lynch pin of our public education system. These cuts will have some pretty ugly ripples a few years from now.

Last 5 posts by Ezra

10 Comments
Tags ,

10 Comments

  1. Charles  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:09 am

    If I had the money, I'd sponsor Psychology of Shyness and Self-Esteem and insist that my donation be attributed to Anonymous.

  2. Patrick  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:11 am

    I suppose our fears that some blogger at National Review was prepared to out Ezra have proven to be unfounded.

  3. Ken  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:33 am

    Link's broken, Ezra.

  4. Ezra  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:37 am

    Whoops. I fixed it. Sorry for my prolonged absence. I have a new kitten that is eating up most of my time, sadly. I do have a few things I want to post (including my anti-Obama screed, so get excited for that!)

    Geez, Patrick, just because I like showtunes…

  5. Ken  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:42 am

    Wait. You mean the cat you've been twittering about is real?

    I just assumed it was an unusually persistent delusion, like about how the drifters you keep in the crawlspace will "wake up any minute now."

  6. Ken  •  Jun 22, 2009 @11:45 am

    If I had $6,000 to burn, between this post and Patrick's post just below, I think I'd fund the class in "Transphobia" in honor of Fred Phelps.

  7. Mike  •  Jun 22, 2009 @12:02 pm

    I agree with the commie! No; really.

    We should have way fewer universities and many more community colleges.

    If you're going to go to college on the taxpayer dime, prove your worth in community college. If you get good grades, transfer to a university. If you wash out, good: It saved the taxpayers a lot of money, since unis are a lot more expensive to operate than CCs.

  8. TJIC  •  Jun 22, 2009 @5:16 pm

    Is there any evidence that community college education has any benefit at all?

    I ask only because having experienced an Ivy League undergraduate education, I doubt that 9 out of 10 of my peers got any advantage from the experience, so I hope that SOMEONE out there is benefiting from all the time and money spent on colleges…

  9. Patrick  •  Jun 22, 2009 @5:35 pm

    You can get good training as mechanic, a gunsmith, a locksmith, or a nursing assistant at a community college.

    All of which are probably more socially valuable than what comes out of most graduate/professional programs.

  10. Ezra  •  Jun 23, 2009 @10:52 am

    A sad coda to this story, as it turns out the Chancellor of City College forgot to mention this idea to the Board, and they were not amused..

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/23/BAC318BNAP.DTL

    So much for me putting Ken's name on a women's studies class.