Late Downwind
I am not management, and I am not an instructor at the college, but I feel that students at the college, both past and present tend to feel hard done by regardless of the facts. This could be due to the fact that the management
do not keep students informed and that IS bad management.
YES, the courses were increased to cover the shortfall in future years; AGAIN due to poor management and lack of foresight (this 'need for increased numbers' should have been projected years ahead instead of the knee jerk reaction). It was, however, ony one course who had a large intake, last summer. This HAS led to the requirement to hold. HOWEVER, the main reason that people are now holding is that the Area course student number is being reduced in an interim measure to increase pass rate.
Do not ask me why, but historically, smaller courses have resulted in a higher percentage of people passing - it defies logic, but is true. As such, to kick start an immediate increase in pass rate, course size is being reduced by about 17%. The new course structure, with the possibility of consolidation, is being implemented from the area course which starts in September. Once this is in place, the course size will be increasd to original, and the backlog can be worked off. It is anticipated that things will balance out by next easter. Not ideal, but better than being chopped.
Bwatch Grunt
Like you, I believe the management at CATC is terrible - not all of it mind you, but the majority of it. As for FH, I do not know how much input she has in the nitty gritty numbers game etc. surely you must remember how ill informed she was regarding the course structure etc.. but I do agree that she is a waste of DNA and I believe that the Student Admin could do the job... IF they were given the information to do it... which they never were. Always on the receiving end from the students, but not informed by the management... They deserve the share of FH's salary
I honestly think that the college is improving, it certainly has to.