School should stand alone

If Northwest Pennsylvania Community College becomes a reality, the school won't be able to lean heavily on the area's four-year colleges and universities when it comes to curriculum and staff.

[persona non grata]

Gannon, Penn State Behrend and Edinboro would not have gotten involved had DUHvechio not gotten into bed with Mercyhurst on the original plan. His original ideation was so slanted toward Mercyhurst that the other 3 had to step and and said "hold up!" Its either all or none, no single school should benefit from the CC. I'm sure that Gannon, PSB and EUP would be more than happy with a stand alone provided that Mercyhurst gets taken out of the equation.

As an aside, DUHvechio has to stop stating publicly that this CC is giving local residents a less expensive alternative to the existing 4 colleges as he is suggesting that students are getting the same level of education on the cheap. Its a two year trade school. It will certainly prepare the student for a vocation but it is certainly not equal to the career opportunities provided by a 4 year degree (and beyond) by the local colleges and universities

[kdj]

uncle buck wrote:

a major waste of taxpayers money,another erie county taj mahal.

Waste indeed, like the Prep complex, maybe they can put the CC next to the Prep complex so the homeless can live it up in style. I am sure Griffith has some more property to unload in that area.

[HazyDavy]

persona non grata wrote:

Gannon, Penn State Behrend and Edinboro would not have gotten involved had DUHvechio not gotten into bed with Mercyhurst on the original plan. His original ideation was so slanted toward Mercyhurst that the other 3 had to step and and said "hold up!" Its either all or none, no single school should benefit from the CC. I'm sure that Gannon, PSB and EUP would be more than happy with a stand alone provided that Mercyhurst gets taken out of the equation.
As an aside, DUHvechio has to stop stating publicly that this CC is giving local residents a less expensive alternative to the existing 4 colleges as he is suggesting that students are getting the same level of education on the cheap. Its a two year trade school. It will certainly prepare the student for a vocation but it is certainly not equal to the career opportunities provided by a 4 year degree (and beyond) by the local colleges and universities

As "persona" accurately protrays, the County Executive was once again taken for a proverbial 'ride' by the local college presidents, whose main function is NOT to look out for the County taxpayers but rather to look out for their respective schools.

[MissionMan]

The most damning parts of the article stated that the State would not even entertain an attempt to include the local universities in any application. Why didn't the county-paid consultant, Dr. Pierce, know this from the beginning? It's appalling to have the low level of preparation for this application revealed.

[MissionMan]

HazyDavy wrote:

<quoted text>
As "persona" accurately protrays, the County Executive was once again taken for a proverbial 'ride' by the local college presidents, whose main function is NOT to look out for the County taxpayers but rather to look out for their respective schools.

While the Erie Times is cheerleading for this Community College, the lack of erie county understanding of exactly what it entails, facility-wise and (more importantly) cost-wise,is disturbing. Tens of millions of taxpayer dollars are on the line for years to come and this is the level of preparation that we get?

[Theresa]

Didn't the president of the successful community college in Butler County offer to help Erie Co. study their C.C.? And for free? There are several up and running C.C. state-wide which are operating successfully. DiVecchio does not have to re-invent the wheel...he merely has to look to see what they have done. Their per student cost structure would also give Erie Co. taxpayers a good idea what this whole thing is going to cost us.

[Missing Link]

Persona non grata is a pontificating blow hard. He does not want to face the fact that a new CC will be offering classes that the four local Universities won't offer because they know these classes will lead to high paying jobs right here in Erie. Classes like basket weaving, under water ballet and Social work are what we need to keep highly skilled and highly paid workers here in Erie.

[Ralph]

There is no way in hell that the faculty union at Edinboro will allow themselves to teach at the community college. Those stuck up professors have a hard enough time teaching in Edinboro and getting no less than 4% raises/year.

[Steve A J]

There are almost 1,200 two-year, associate degree–granting community college and more than 11 million students. They work. Northwest PA is the largest area in the country without a community college. This is why we have a high poverty rate and too many people whose only skill is asking "Would you like to supersize that order?"

I'm a Republican and see the need. There are too many businesses that can't find workers with basic skills.

[CrazyJanie]

Let's assume there's a need for a com. college...fine. Other counties have them. Why don't we study the good things they've accomplished and avoid the pitfalls they've fallen in. Why does the planning for this whole thing seem to be starting from scratch? Why don't we have folks involved who know the ropes and are not 'bought and paid for' by some outside forces (i.e. Mercyhurst). Where is the ETN reporting on this issue?

[ShirleyUJest]

A quick synopsis: DiVecchio has a "vision". DiVecchio hires ex-Mercyhurst College President to study the issue. Ex-President says Erie Co. needs Com. College. and Mercyhurst College should supply it at very hi cost. Other local college Presidents say their schools want cut in, also. DiVecchio hires consultant Pierce to push the idea along. Erie Times cheerleads C.C. without knowing either the short or long term costs. State rejects DiVecchio's scheme. Tens of millions of dollars are at risk and in the hands of politicians who don't know what their doing.
Makes you feel warm all over, doesn't it?

[Donny Baker]

I still think they should look at programs like that in California that have been around for a long time and are successful. I think there is a lot to be learned by the local politicians.

[TomT]

I'm not argueing for or against the Com. college concept, but it seems obvious that the "planning" that was done by County leadership was shoddy, at best. Considering the huge annual cost to county taxpayers and the past track record of these schools in Erie Co., I would think the planning would be immaculate...it's quite the opposite.