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Current Issue Links
College president defends theater program cuts
As students protest massive cuts in theater arts, Retterer points to 15-percent
funding reduction
funding reduction
By REBECCA NEIPP
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Decisions that may lead to cuts in the theater arts programs at Cerro Coso Community College have
been explained — and clarified — by the institution’s president, Dr. Mary Retterer.
“The college is looking at a 10-percent budget cut,” said Retterer. “This is after we’ve already taken a 5-
percent cut last year. We have to cut back on something.”
Retterer said administrators researched the situation and decided to suspend theater arts and
automotive technology programs. “And by suspending I don’t mean ‘gone forever,’ I just mean we can’t afford
them at the moment.”
She said that in keeping with direction from the state legislature, the college has prioritized its spending to
focus on career technical education, basic skills and courses that are transferable to state colleges and
universities.
While she anticipates being able to offer Introduction to Theater and perhaps one or two courses beyond
that, “We will not be able to afford a major production.”
Earlier this year rumors began to circulate that the funding cuts from the state level was prompting CCCC
administrators to do away with theater arts. Although nothing definitive had been announced, the issue came
up at a recent meeting of the Associated Students of Cerro Coso.
Students began to publicly lobby support to save the program. One of the most vocal of those supporters
is Chad Terry, former officer in the college’s theater arts club and current vice chair of the Ridgecrest
Community Theater Troupe.
He said that after publicly vocalizing his objections, he wrote to Retterer for clarification on the issue.
According to Terry her response said only that he was spreading misinformation, but did not specify what.
“She just said she was going to meet with faculty about the issue, and until then she was not at liberty to
discuss it further.”
Terry said that although he understands the concept of cuts, he doesn’t think it’s fair to cut an entire
program.
“From what I understand, sports has taken a huge cut, and music is all but gone now. But to me, it seems
that getting rid of an entire program is not the answer.”
Terry said if state legislators are calling to save career education, that should include theater arts. “For
people to say, ‘This career is better for you than that career,’ is not only condescending, it is ridiculous.”
He pointed out that the Ridgecrest economy thrives on the filming projects that are based in and around
the city. “That may not be directly related to theater, but the skills you learn in theater arts translate into that
field.”
He also said that he believes that because the program credits are transferable to state schools, it should
qualify for the priorities outlined by the state.
Retterer said that the classes indeed transfer as elections, but do not fit the “lower-division general
education” requirements.
She said ancillary issues have played into the decision to place the program on hold. She said that
administrators received a report from the fire marshal detailing what upgrades were necessary for the current
facility to maintain its certification. “We’ll have to make major changes” to keep that environment safe.
Retterer said the college will retain the current drama teacher by offering her a course load.
“The problem is we can’t afford to keep programs that are unfunded — not when we’re looking at a million
and a half in cuts.”
In the meantime Terry and other proponents of the local arts program are planning to present their case
for keeping a theater arts program to the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees at their meeting,
scheduled for today in Bakersfield.
been explained — and clarified — by the institution’s president, Dr. Mary Retterer.
“The college is looking at a 10-percent budget cut,” said Retterer. “This is after we’ve already taken a 5-
percent cut last year. We have to cut back on something.”
Retterer said administrators researched the situation and decided to suspend theater arts and
automotive technology programs. “And by suspending I don’t mean ‘gone forever,’ I just mean we can’t afford
them at the moment.”
She said that in keeping with direction from the state legislature, the college has prioritized its spending to
focus on career technical education, basic skills and courses that are transferable to state colleges and
universities.
While she anticipates being able to offer Introduction to Theater and perhaps one or two courses beyond
that, “We will not be able to afford a major production.”
Earlier this year rumors began to circulate that the funding cuts from the state level was prompting CCCC
administrators to do away with theater arts. Although nothing definitive had been announced, the issue came
up at a recent meeting of the Associated Students of Cerro Coso.
Students began to publicly lobby support to save the program. One of the most vocal of those supporters
is Chad Terry, former officer in the college’s theater arts club and current vice chair of the Ridgecrest
Community Theater Troupe.
He said that after publicly vocalizing his objections, he wrote to Retterer for clarification on the issue.
According to Terry her response said only that he was spreading misinformation, but did not specify what.
“She just said she was going to meet with faculty about the issue, and until then she was not at liberty to
discuss it further.”
Terry said that although he understands the concept of cuts, he doesn’t think it’s fair to cut an entire
program.
“From what I understand, sports has taken a huge cut, and music is all but gone now. But to me, it seems
that getting rid of an entire program is not the answer.”
Terry said if state legislators are calling to save career education, that should include theater arts. “For
people to say, ‘This career is better for you than that career,’ is not only condescending, it is ridiculous.”
He pointed out that the Ridgecrest economy thrives on the filming projects that are based in and around
the city. “That may not be directly related to theater, but the skills you learn in theater arts translate into that
field.”
He also said that he believes that because the program credits are transferable to state schools, it should
qualify for the priorities outlined by the state.
Retterer said that the classes indeed transfer as elections, but do not fit the “lower-division general
education” requirements.
She said ancillary issues have played into the decision to place the program on hold. She said that
administrators received a report from the fire marshal detailing what upgrades were necessary for the current
facility to maintain its certification. “We’ll have to make major changes” to keep that environment safe.
Retterer said the college will retain the current drama teacher by offering her a course load.
“The problem is we can’t afford to keep programs that are unfunded — not when we’re looking at a million
and a half in cuts.”
In the meantime Terry and other proponents of the local arts program are planning to present their case
for keeping a theater arts program to the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees at their meeting,
scheduled for today in Bakersfield.
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