Why Green?

Robert J Brem
Professor of Political Science and Psychology, College of Alameda
rbrem@peralta.edu

Why should we refocus the vision and mission of the Peralta Colleges on the Green and Sustainable Community model? Why should we offer all of our courses and services in the context of a "human ecology" emphasis? Let me offer an argument.

First, what is a green and sustainable human ecology focus? Human ecology as a curricular emphasis is the idea that all our offerings are contextualized within the perspective of how does what you are learning with us allow you to make sense of your life in the context of Planet Earth. It is an integrated studies / interdisciplinary approach that is more robust and more rigorous than a more traditional and disjointed approach many institutions of higher education now pursue (see argument two). It is the offering of an educational experience rather than an acquisition of disjointed knowledge. As such, it is superior and in fact prepares students for more in life than what we currently do. What do we currently do?

Second — A major problem with the community college system today is that too many in our own community do not believe in our potential as a social change agent. When — in our own attitudes — we focus defacto primarily and exclusively upon the transfer function and the job preparation function of a community college degree we ignore the development of citizens and preparation for life in a 21st century democratic republic and information economy. In this we at once deny the "community" in community college and do a profound disservice to our students — many of whom may in fact be achieving their only college education with us. In fact, there are two compelling reasons we ought to focus consciously and primarily upon development of citizens over the transfer and job preparation. It is far more personal to the student than the other foci — "personal" in the psychological sense of self development and that anchors learning far deeper than merely acquiring skills. And, an integrated approach — in that it is academically superior and more holistic — better prepares students for transfer and jobs than if we (only) explicitly focus upon transfer or jobs.

Third — Title V of the California Educational Code says to do it…. though we all ignore that don’t we? According to the California State Community College Academic Senate document "What is the meaning of a community college degree?" (p. 3)– we are to offer

"coherent and integrated patterns of learning experiences (to) prepare students (as) educated persons with a broad range of knowledge to evaluate and appreciate the physical environment, the culture, and the society in which they live; to be able to examine the values inherent in proposed solutions to major social problems; and to be able to participate effectively in their resolution. In short, the language of title 5 not only emphasizes the role of the Associate Degree as focused study in a specific field, but it also aims to direct community colleges to prepare citizens with a broad educational foundation, to develop a populace that can participate effectively in all domains of society: civically, economically, and politically."

And finaly, if we truly become a Green Sustainable learning community we will in fact be fundamentally different than any other of the California Community Colleges in offering a unique and superior preparation for life and transfer and this would lead to more successful transfer rates and this all comprises a compelling reason to come to Peralta rather than any of the other options. In an era of decreasing enrollment numbers, the advantage of this last reason should be clear.