Want You Don't Know Can Really Hurt You: Long Beach City College

1/16 of what City of Long Beach Community Did Not Know...

Viking News Long Beach City College

Loewenstein to Serve as new Academic Affairs Vice President

By Alex Campbel

Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012 18:01

Superintendant-President Eloy Oakley welcomed Gaither Loewenstein to LBCC as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs following a vote by the Board of Trustees confirming Loewenstein's appointment on January 24.

Loewenstein's hiring has been controversial due to his resignation from the position of the president of Modesto Junior College after unpopular employee reductions at the college and the discovery of controversial song lyrics that he had written and posted on his personal website.  While Loewenstein resigned from his position at Modesto in May 2011, his resume states that he served at Modesto Junior College until July 2011.

According to his resume, Loewenstein has served in administrative positions in eduction since he served as Dean of Instruction at Mendocino College in 1999.

The position of Vice President of Academic Affairs carries a salary of $175,364 per year, according to Rose DelGaudio, LBCC's Vice President of Human Resources.  DelGaudio says Loewenstein will begin his tenure at LBCC on February 6,  replacing Executive Vice President Don Berz, who will leave his post on March 31.  The overlap "will allow for  effective and smooth transition," DelGaudiosaid.

Oakley announced his decision to hire Loewenstein in a memo dated January 18, saying, "Dr. Lowenstein comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be an excellent addition to the LBCC team."  The memo states that Loewenstein will formally assume his duties as Vice President on March 1.

The vote to hire Loewenstein was carried unanimously by the Board after trustee Thomas Clark motioned for the passage of agenda item 5.1, which included the hiring of four other administrative positions and other personnel issues including stipends for specific personnel.  Item 5.1 was passed only after the removal of faculty sabbatical leave from the agenda, following trustee Mark Bowen's suggestion to increase the number of awarded sabbaticals from two to five.

Loewenstein was not present at the meeting for his confirmation by the Board.

New Long Beach college official resigned from previous job over controversial songs

By Kelly Puente, Staff Writer

POSTED: 01/18/12, 9:00 PM PST 

LONG BEACH — Long Beach City College has hired a new vice president who resigned from his position as president of a Modesto junior college last year over controversial song lyrics that appeared on his personal website.

Gaither Loewenstein will assume duties as LBCC's vice president of academic affairs on March 1, according to a statement from LBCC President Eloy Oakley.

Loewenstein, who also is a singer-songwriter, resigned from his position as president of Modesto College in May after some of his provocative folk song lyrics became public knowledge, according to the Modesto Bee, which reported the story last year.

Loewenstein's music website, which has since been taken down, provided samples of more than 100 songs written during his 30 years as a musician. His stage name is Gaither Drake.

His lyrics range from traditional subjects, such as love and marriage, to more controversial topics including homosexuality, drug use, sexual infatuation and heavy drinking.

In a song entitled "Dear Amtrak," in which Loewenstein complains about a train trip to Portland, he writes, "Your railroad is the (expletive deleted) - they got better service on the way to Auschwitz." In another song entitled "Dysfunctional Family Christmas," he includes the line, "We'll go broke and snort some coke as the holiday grows near."

In the song entitled, "My Best Friends," Loewenstein sings about how all of his female friends are lesbians. He includes the verse, "Don't you know that my best friends are lesbians, it's true. And if I didn't have a (expletive deleted), than I'd probably be one too."

His self-published debut album was released in 2000. His music is available on Myspace.com and iTunes.

Loewenstein told the Modesto Bee last year that he understood why people would be offended by some of the lyrics and said the lyrics were inappropriate for someone in his position.

"I think that as long as you are flying below the radar in lower level administrative positions, you are free to pursue your private hobbies and endeavors," he said. "But once you are named president of a college, there is a responsibility not just to yourself but the college."

He said he hadn't added to the website since he became president of Modesto College in July 2010. The lyrics, he said, were deeply personal and satirical.

Oakley said Thursday he was aware of the controversy and selected Loewenstein based on his credentials and experience. Loewenstein was chosen after a six-month process of vetting candidates.

"We went though an exhaustive process of selecting and interviewing candidates, and after narrowing it down to the final four, he was the top choice," Oakley said, adding that the college did an extensive background check on all of the candidates. "Based on his educational experience and focus on students, we feel he is a good fit for Long Beach City College and we're looking forward to having him on board."

Oakley noted that Loewenstein wasn't asked to resign from his position, but chose to resign.

Loewenstein was at the helm as Modesto College faced tumultuous budget cuts last year. Nearly 60 employees were laid off, including a dozen faculty.

The public became aware of his music website after a press release was sent to the media by a Modesto resident whose partner, a journalism professor, was among those laid off, according to the Modesto Bee.

As for the song lyrics, Oakley said they have no bearing on Loewenstein's ability to do a good job.

"Anybody who lives in this country has the opportunity to express themselves as an artist," he said. "I chose Dr. Loewenstein because he is dedicated to improving education. I believe he'll do wonderful things at the college."

Janice Tomson, president of the LBCC's Academic Senate, said the selection was made through a process that included input from multiple departments.

"The hiring committee for the vice president was represented by all constituencies at the college: administration, faculty, and staff," she said in a statement. "This committee forwarded candidates to the superintendent-president who made his (selection). As Senate president I respect the process and am looking forward to working with Gaither (Loewenstein) as our new vice president of academic affairs."

Loewenstein has a doctorate in urban affairs from the University of Delaware, a master's of Urban Affairs from Wichita State University, and a bachelor's in Public Administration from the University of the Pacific.

According a his resume, he served as president of Modesto College for one year. Prior to that, he worked as vice president of educational services at Norco College, vice president of academic and student success at Barstow College, and was dean of instruction at Mendocino College.

The LBCC Board of Trustees must give the final approval for the new hire. The board is expected to vote on the matter at its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the college's Liberal Arts Campus.

Modesto Junior College budget cuts layoff teachers, cut programs

Submitted by News10 Web Staff

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011, 4:27am

MODESTO, CA - Modesto Junior College students protest a budget proposal that will eliminate nine programs and several tenured professors.

MJC president Dr. Gaither Loewenstein submitted his proposed budget to the Board of Trustees, which has a 16 percent cut from its previous budget. Modesto Junior College is in its third year of state funding cuts.

It survived a $7 million cut over the past two years without any faculty layoffs, but this year it faces an additional $8 million cut.

"My job as a college president is to take the money the state allocates to our college and spend it as prudently as possible," Dr. Loewenstein said. "Our mission is to provide transfer education: career and technical education, basic skills. After that we looked at programs in which we had a high employment demand in our area."

Those were the programs that were spared, but other degree and non-degree programs such as Television-Radio-Film, journalism, anthropology, engineering, architecture, and dental assistance are completely eliminated under the president's budget.

MJC students fear losing the last transfer credits they need to move on to a four-year institution and popular professors and mentors.

"There are some professors who have changed lives," anthropology student Vanessa Zamora said. "The president's cuts were immediate and drastic, and didn't use any input from students."

Several students said they were angry over rumors that the new chancellor would be receiving an $80,000 salary increase, about the equivalent of a professor's salary.

"I can guarantee you my salary increase won't be near that of a professor's salary," Chancellor Joan Smith said.

Smith said she postponed a salary increase when she took the position last week. Smith's contract will be renegotiated on July 1. Smith said she may ask for a pay increase at that time, but it would not be more than what a classified employee earns.

Modesto Junior College administrators said they are considering the worst case scenario in putting together a budget.

The state mandated deadline for budget proposals is March 15. After that date, the college would not be able to layoff any faculty. And if a state tax initiative isn't approved in June, 100 percent of the college's budget cuts would then have to be in classified staff.

"The June tax initiative has a 40 percent chance of getting onto the ballot," said Smith. "It has a 20 percent chance of failing. Would you play those odds?"

MJC students said they would rather see more cuts made in the administration or universal faculty and staff pay cuts.

"We want the administration to figure out a way to keep the faculty employed here," MJC student Sarah Yanagi said.

The president said salary and benefit negotiations are not impossible, but it takes time and he cannot do anything that requires collective bargaining.

Students plan to protest outside of a closed Board of Trustee workshop Wednesday afternoon. A student walk-out is planned for next week

But see the Long Beach Press-Telegram, "New Long Beach college official resigned from previous job over controversial songs":

LONG BEACH — Long Beach City College has hired a new vice president who resigned from his position as president of a Modesto junior college last year over controversial song lyrics that appeared on his personal website.

Gaither Loewenstein will assume duties as LBCC's vice president of academic affairs on March 1, according to a statement from LBCC President Eloy Oakley.

Loewenstein, who also is a singer-songwriter, resigned from his position as president of Modesto College in May after some of his provocative folk song lyrics became public knowledge, according to the Modesto Bee, which reported the story last year.

Loewenstein's music website, which has since been taken down, provided samples of more than 100 songs written during his 30 years as a musician. His stage name is Gaither Drake.

His lyrics range from traditional subjects, such as love and marriage, to more controversial topics including homosexuality, drug use, sexual infatuation and heavy drinking.

In a song entitled "Dear Amtrak," in which Loewenstein complains about a train trip to Portland, he writes, "Your railroad is the (expletive deleted) - they got better service on the way to Auschwitz." In another song entitled "Dysfunctional Family Christmas," he includes the line, "We'll go broke and snort some coke as the holiday grows near."

In the song entitled, "My Best Friends," Loewenstein sings about how all of his female friends are lesbians. He includes the verse, "Don't you know that my best friends are lesbians, it's true. And if I didn't have a (expletive deleted), than I'd probably be one too."
His self-published debut album was released in 2000. His music is available on Myspace.com and iTunes.

Loewenstein told the Modesto Bee last year that he understood why people would be offended by some of the lyrics and said the lyrics were inappropriate for someone in his position.

"I think that as long as you are flying below the radar in lower level administrative positions, you are free to pursue your private hobbies and endeavors," he said. "But once you are named president of a college, there is a responsibility not just to yourself but the college."

Loewenstein's getting hammered in the comments at the link.

For example, from Monica Blumenfield:

It's despicable our local community college hires an idiot who says Jews on the train to Auschwitz were given good service. Has he forgotten those trains sent millions of Jews to their deaths? Get rid of him, or does Supt. Oakley and the rest of LBCC Boards support Lowenstein's anti-Semitic views?

No, they don't support his views --- or at least there's no evidence of that.

The buzz among the faculty, however, is that Dr. Loewenstein was hired as a hatchet man for Eloy Oakley. Modesto cut whole departments under Dr. Loewenstein's leadership, including the journalism program. See: "Modesto College Cuts Journalism – 2011":

Modesto Junior College administration’s drastic cuts to several popular programs, including the elimination of the entire mass communications department, are at best driven by hopeless ignorance and at worst designed to silence student voices at the school.

In late February, MJC President Gaither Loewenstein proposed cutting the mass communications department, along with the faculty adviser to student government, as a solution to the college’s projected $8 million deficit for 2011-12 fiscal year.

Despite opposition from the entire college community and an offer from faculty to take pay cuts to save their programs, Loewenstein and the school district’s board of trustees shirked shared governance and transparency laws and unilaterally approved the cuts.

“We feel that he’s deliberately handicapped any type of protest at the college,” MJC journalism instructor and newspaper advisor Laura Paull said.

So it's basically writing on the wall to me. The college overlooked a very controversial background to hire someone with experience in drastic downsizing (and it's more controversial than the Press-Telegram lets on --- Loewenstein's rapid employment turnover at his previous posts is simply astonishing, and normally there's good reason someone doesn't stay on a job for long, even administrative appointments).

More on this later, especially if the college announces layoffs!

Modesto College Cuts Journalism

Apr 20

Posted by sfnewsreporter

CARTOON BY DANIELLE SCHLAMP

By Alex Emslie
The Guardsman

Modesto Junior College administration’s drastic cuts to several popular programs, including the elimination of the entire mass communications department, are at best driven by hopeless ignorance and at worst designed to silence student voices at the school.

In late February, MJC President Gaither Loewenstein proposed cutting the mass communications department, along with the faculty adviser to student government, as a solution to the college’s projected $8 million deficit for 2011-12 fiscal year.

Despite opposition from the entire college community and an offer from faculty to take pay cuts to save their programs, Loewenstein and the school district’s board of trustees shirked shared governance and transparency laws and unilaterally approved the cuts.

“We feel that he’s deliberately handicapped any type of protest at the college,” MJC journalism instructor and newspaper advisor Laura Paull said.

It appears Loewenstein and the board will succeed next year in closing MJC’s award-winning newspaper, The Pirates’ Log, which has been an institution at the school since 1926.

Lowenstein justified eliminating the mass communications department by questioning the viability of journalism as a profession.

His unapologetic stance that an industry’s profitability defines its value rather than the essential principles it upholds is frightening. It sickens the The Guardsman that a man in charge of educating future California professionals would have such ignorance or disregard of the civic necessity fulfilled by the press.

In the budget proposal the board rubber-stamped, Loewenstein, wrote that journalism’s future lies in “new media,” which he described as “the convergence of computer graphics, gaming, digital applications and the Internet as means of delivery with content derived from the traditional disciplines of art, music and theatre.”

According to Loewenstein’s convoluted media scholarship, the new role of the press, an institution enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, will be to produce entertaining content for video games, or that training in art, music and theater is applicable to work in a newsroom.

It is true that journalism is a tough business to break into these days. The stakes have risen, competition has increased, pay has dropped and the reputations of large media corporations in the U.S. – the sole source of news for many Americans – are in shambles.

But a new generation of journalists is poised to redefine the industry based on a new model that does not sacrifice the truth for slight increases in profit margins. We are in the middle of a “new media” revolution, but not of the kind Loewenstein described in his budget cuts proposal.

Journalists at The Guardsman and The Pirates’ Log are already heavily invested in using all forms of “new media” to present our content, including multimedia and various forms of social networking. No skills learned in theater, music or art classes informed that transition, but rather reporting, critical thinking, and research skills learned in journalism classes.

It’s difficult to believe Loewenstein and the board actually think the future of journalism lies in video games. Instead they value the First Amendment’s guarantees of free expression and the press so little, and power and profit so much, they are willing to say anything to silence opposition.

But it won’t work. Any attempts to kill, demean or demoralize the future journalists of this country will only make us stronger. That is the level of dedication we have toward printing the truth and checking corruption. That is the power of “new media.”

Viking News Long Beach City College

Loewenstein to Serve as new Academic Affairs Vice President

By Alex Campbel

Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012 18:01

Superintendant-President Eloy Oakley welcomed Gaither Loewenstein to LBCC as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs following a vote by the Board of Trustees confirming Loewenstein's appointment on January 24.

Loewenstein's hiring has been controversial due to his resignation from the position of the president of Modesto Junior College after unpopular employee reductions at the college and the discovery of controversial song lyrics that he had written and posted on his personal website.  While Loewenstein resigned from his position at Modesto in May 2011, his resume states that he served at Modesto Junior College until July 2011.

According to his resume, Loewenstein has served in administrative positions in eduction since he served as Dean of Instruction at Mendocino College in 1999.

The position of Vice President of Academic Affairs carries a salary of $175,364 per year, according to Rose DelGaudio, LBCC's Vice President of Human Resources.  DelGaudio says Loewenstein will begin his tenure at LBCC on February 6,  replacing Executive Vice President Don Berz, who will leave his post on March 31.  The overlap "will allow for  effective and smooth transition," DelGaudiosaid.

Oakley announced his decision to hire Loewenstein in a memo dated January 18, saying, "Dr. Lowenstein comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be an excellent addition to the LBCC team."  The memo states that Loewenstein will formally assume his duties as Vice President on March 1.

The vote to hire Loewenstein was carried unanimously by the Board after trustee Thomas Clark motioned for the passage of agenda item 5.1, which included the hiring of four other administrative positions and other personnel issues including stipends for specific personnel.  Item 5.1 was passed only after the removal of faculty sabbatical leave from the agenda, following trustee Mark Bowen's suggestion to increase the number of awarded sabbaticals from two to five.

Loewenstein was not present at the meeting for his confirmation by the Board.

New Long Beach college official resigned from previous job over controversial songs

By Kelly Puente, Staff Writer

POSTED: 01/18/12, 9:00 PM PST 

LONG BEACH — Long Beach City College has hired a new vice president who resigned from his position as president of a Modesto junior college last year over controversial song lyrics that appeared on his personal website.

Gaither Loewenstein will assume duties as LBCC's vice president of academic affairs on March 1, according to a statement from LBCC President Eloy Oakley.

Loewenstein, who also is a singer-songwriter, resigned from his position as president of Modesto College in May after some of his provocative folk song lyrics became public knowledge, according to the Modesto Bee, which reported the story last year.

Loewenstein's music website, which has since been taken down, provided samples of more than 100 songs written during his 30 years as a musician. His stage name is Gaither Drake.

His lyrics range from traditional subjects, such as love and marriage, to more controversial topics including homosexuality, drug use, sexual infatuation and heavy drinking.

In a song entitled "Dear Amtrak," in which Loewenstein complains about a train trip to Portland, he writes, "Your railroad is the (expletive deleted) - they got better service on the way to Auschwitz." In another song entitled "Dysfunctional Family Christmas," he includes the line, "We'll go broke and snort some coke as the holiday grows near."

In the song entitled, "My Best Friends," Loewenstein sings about how all of his female friends are lesbians. He includes the verse, "Don't you know that my best friends are lesbians, it's true. And if I didn't have a (expletive deleted), than I'd probably be one too."

His self-published debut album was released in 2000. His music is available on Myspace.com and iTunes.

Loewenstein told the Modesto Bee last year that he understood why people would be offended by some of the lyrics and said the lyrics were inappropriate for someone in his position.

"I think that as long as you are flying below the radar in lower level administrative positions, you are free to pursue your private hobbies and endeavors," he said. "But once you are named president of a college, there is a responsibility not just to yourself but the college."

He said he hadn't added to the website since he became president of Modesto College in July 2010. The lyrics, he said, were deeply personal and satirical.

Oakley said Thursday he was aware of the controversy and selected Loewenstein based on his credentials and experience. Loewenstein was chosen after a six-month process of vetting candidates.

"We went though an exhaustive process of selecting and interviewing candidates, and after narrowing it down to the final four, he was the top choice," Oakley said, adding that the college did an extensive background check on all of the candidates. "Based on his educational experience and focus on students, we feel he is a good fit for Long Beach City College and we're looking forward to having him on board."

Oakley noted that Loewenstein wasn't asked to resign from his position, but chose to resign.

Loewenstein was at the helm as Modesto College faced tumultuous budget cuts last year. Nearly 60 employees were laid off, including a dozen faculty.

The public became aware of his music website after a press release was sent to the media by a Modesto resident whose partner, a journalism professor, was among those laid off, according to the Modesto Bee.

As for the song lyrics, Oakley said they have no bearing on Loewenstein's ability to do a good job.

"Anybody who lives in this country has the opportunity to express themselves as an artist," he said. "I chose Dr. Loewenstein because he is dedicated to improving education. I believe he'll do wonderful things at the college."

Janice Tomson, president of the LBCC's Academic Senate, said the selection was made through a process that included input from multiple departments.

"The hiring committee for the vice president was represented by all constituencies at the college: administration, faculty, and staff," she said in a statement. "This committee forwarded candidates to the superintendent-president who made his (selection). As Senate president I respect the process and am looking forward to working with Gaither (Loewenstein) as our new vice president of academic affairs."

Loewenstein has a doctorate in urban affairs from the University of Delaware, a master's of Urban Affairs from Wichita State University, and a bachelor's in Public Administration from the University of the Pacific.

According a his resume, he served as president of Modesto College for one year. Prior to that, he worked as vice president of educational services at Norco College, vice president of academic and student success at Barstow College, and was dean of instruction at Mendocino College.

The LBCC Board of Trustees must give the final approval for the new hire. The board is expected to vote on the matter at its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the college's Liberal Arts Campus.

Modesto Junior College budget cuts layoff teachers, cut programs

Submitted by News10 Web Staff

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011, 4:27am

MODESTO, CA - Modesto Junior College students protest a budget proposal that will eliminate nine programs and several tenured professors.

MJC president Dr. Gaither Loewenstein submitted his proposed budget to the Board of Trustees, which has a 16 percent cut from its previous budget. Modesto Junior College is in its third year of state funding cuts.

It survived a $7 million cut over the past two years without any faculty layoffs, but this year it faces an additional $8 million cut.

"My job as a college president is to take the money the state allocates to our college and spend it as prudently as possible," Dr. Loewenstein said. "Our mission is to provide transfer education: career and technical education, basic skills. After that we looked at programs in which we had a high employment demand in our area."

Those were the programs that were spared, but other degree and non-degree programs such as Television-Radio-Film, journalism, anthropology, engineering, architecture, and dental assistance are completely eliminated under the president's budget.

MJC students fear losing the last transfer credits they need to move on to a four-year institution and popular professors and mentors.

"There are some professors who have changed lives," anthropology student Vanessa Zamora said. "The president's cuts were immediate and drastic, and didn't use any input from students."

Several students said they were angry over rumors that the new chancellor would be receiving an $80,000 salary increase, about the equivalent of a professor's salary.

"I can guarantee you my salary increase won't be near that of a professor's salary," Chancellor Joan Smith said.

Smith said she postponed a salary increase when she took the position last week. Smith's contract will be renegotiated on July 1. Smith said she may ask for a pay increase at that time, but it would not be more than what a classified employee earns.

Modesto Junior College administrators said they are considering the worst case scenario in putting together a budget.

The state mandated deadline for budget proposals is March 15. After that date, the college would not be able to layoff any faculty. And if a state tax initiative isn't approved in June, 100 percent of the college's budget cuts would then have to be in classified staff.

"The June tax initiative has a 40 percent chance of getting onto the ballot," said Smith. "It has a 20 percent chance of failing. Would you play those odds?"

MJC students said they would rather see more cuts made in the administration or universal faculty and staff pay cuts.

"We want the administration to figure out a way to keep the faculty employed here," MJC student Sarah Yanagi said.

The president said salary and benefit negotiations are not impossible, but it takes time and he cannot do anything that requires collective bargaining.

Students plan to protest outside of a closed Board of Trustee workshop Wednesday afternoon. A student walk-out is planned for next week

But see the Long Beach Press-Telegram, "New Long Beach college official resigned from previous job over controversial songs":

LONG BEACH — Long Beach City College has hired a new vice president who resigned from his position as president of a Modesto junior college last year over controversial song lyrics that appeared on his personal website.

Gaither Loewenstein will assume duties as LBCC's vice president of academic affairs on March 1, according to a statement from LBCC President Eloy Oakley.

Loewenstein, who also is a singer-songwriter, resigned from his position as president of Modesto College in May after some of his provocative folk song lyrics became public knowledge, according to the Modesto Bee, which reported the story last year.

Loewenstein's music website, which has since been taken down, provided samples of more than 100 songs written during his 30 years as a musician. His stage name is Gaither Drake.

His lyrics range from traditional subjects, such as love and marriage, to more controversial topics including homosexuality, drug use, sexual infatuation and heavy drinking.

In a song entitled "Dear Amtrak," in which Loewenstein complains about a train trip to Portland, he writes, "Your railroad is the (expletive deleted) - they got better service on the way to Auschwitz." In another song entitled "Dysfunctional Family Christmas," he includes the line, "We'll go broke and snort some coke as the holiday grows near."

In the song entitled, "My Best Friends," Loewenstein sings about how all of his female friends are lesbians. He includes the verse, "Don't you know that my best friends are lesbians, it's true. And if I didn't have a (expletive deleted), than I'd probably be one too."
His self-published debut album was released in 2000. His music is available on Myspace.com and iTunes.

Loewenstein told the Modesto Bee last year that he understood why people would be offended by some of the lyrics and said the lyrics were inappropriate for someone in his position.

"I think that as long as you are flying below the radar in lower level administrative positions, you are free to pursue your private hobbies and endeavors," he said. "But once you are named president of a college, there is a responsibility not just to yourself but the college."

Loewenstein's getting hammered in the comments at the link.

For example, from Monica Blumenfield:

It's despicable our local community college hires an idiot who says Jews on the train to Auschwitz were given good service. Has he forgotten those trains sent millions of Jews to their deaths? Get rid of him, or does Supt. Oakley and the rest of LBCC Boards support Lowenstein's anti-Semitic views?

No, they don't support his views --- or at least there's no evidence of that.

The buzz among the faculty, however, is that Dr. Loewenstein was hired as a hatchet man for Eloy Oakley. Modesto cut whole departments under Dr. Loewenstein's leadership, including the journalism program. See: "Modesto College Cuts Journalism – 2011":

Modesto Junior College administration’s drastic cuts to several popular programs, including the elimination of the entire mass communications department, are at best driven by hopeless ignorance and at worst designed to silence student voices at the school.

In late February, MJC President Gaither Loewenstein proposed cutting the mass communications department, along with the faculty adviser to student government, as a solution to the college’s projected $8 million deficit for 2011-12 fiscal year.

Despite opposition from the entire college community and an offer from faculty to take pay cuts to save their programs, Loewenstein and the school district’s board of trustees shirked shared governance and transparency laws and unilaterally approved the cuts.

“We feel that he’s deliberately handicapped any type of protest at the college,” MJC journalism instructor and newspaper advisor Laura Paull said.

So it's basically writing on the wall to me. The college overlooked a very controversial background to hire someone with experience in drastic downsizing (and it's more controversial than the Press-Telegram lets on --- Loewenstein's rapid employment turnover at his previous posts is simply astonishing, and normally there's good reason someone doesn't stay on a job for long, even administrative appointments).

More on this later, especially if the college announces layoffs!

Modesto College Cuts Journalism

Apr 20

Posted by sfnewsreporter

CARTOON BY DANIELLE SCHLAMP

By Alex Emslie
The Guardsman

Modesto Junior College administration’s drastic cuts to several popular programs, including the elimination of the entire mass communications department, are at best driven by hopeless ignorance and at worst designed to silence student voices at the school.

In late February, MJC President Gaither Loewenstein proposed cutting the mass communications department, along with the faculty adviser to student government, as a solution to the college’s projected $8 million deficit for 2011-12 fiscal year.

Despite opposition from the entire college community and an offer from faculty to take pay cuts to save their programs, Loewenstein and the school district’s board of trustees shirked shared governance and transparency laws and unilaterally approved the cuts.

“We feel that he’s deliberately handicapped any type of protest at the college,” MJC journalism instructor and newspaper advisor Laura Paull said.

It appears Loewenstein and the board will succeed next year in closing MJC’s award-winning newspaper, The Pirates’ Log, which has been an institution at the school since 1926.

Lowenstein justified eliminating the mass communications department by questioning the viability of journalism as a profession.

His unapologetic stance that an industry’s profitability defines its value rather than the essential principles it upholds is frightening. It sickens the The Guardsman that a man in charge of educating future California professionals would have such ignorance or disregard of the civic necessity fulfilled by the press.

In the budget proposal the board rubber-stamped, Loewenstein, wrote that journalism’s future lies in “new media,” which he described as “the convergence of computer graphics, gaming, digital applications and the Internet as means of delivery with content derived from the traditional disciplines of art, music and theatre.”

According to Loewenstein’s convoluted media scholarship, the new role of the press, an institution enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, will be to produce entertaining content for video games, or that training in art, music and theater is applicable to work in a newsroom.

It is true that journalism is a tough business to break into these days. The stakes have risen, competition has increased, pay has dropped and the reputations of large media corporations in the U.S. – the sole source of news for many Americans – are in shambles.

But a new generation of journalists is poised to redefine the industry based on a new model that does not sacrifice the truth for slight increases in profit margins. We are in the middle of a “new media” revolution, but not of the kind Loewenstein described in his budget cuts proposal.

Journalists at The Guardsman and The Pirates’ Log are already heavily invested in using all forms of “new media” to present our content, including multimedia and various forms of social networking. No skills learned in theater, music or art classes informed that transition, but rather reporting, critical thinking, and research skills learned in journalism classes.

It’s difficult to believe Loewenstein and the board actually think the future of journalism lies in video games. Instead they value the First Amendment’s guarantees of free expression and the press so little, and power and profit so much, they are willing to say anything to silence opposition.

But it won’t work. Any attempts to kill, demean or demoralize the future journalists of this country will only make us stronger. That is the level of dedication we have toward printing the truth and checking corruption. That is the power of “new media.”