USF Dissolves Popular College-Prep Program for Low-Income Students
Categories: Education
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| Will there be a sequel? |
Since 1966, the college-prep program has helped low-income and minority high school students in San Francisco get into college. It's Web site brags that 90 percent of high school students who complete the program go on to college. But now USF has evicted Upward Bound from its campus, effective next year.
Students and faculty, who are shocked and outraged, are staging a protest on March 3, calling on the university to reverse its decision. University officials have not returned our phone call, but students say USF is kicking the program out to make more space for its own summer school enrollment.
"This is really an eviction," said Kimberly Glanville, a USF student who is helping to organize the protest. "We need USF students to show they are upset about this."
Upward Bound, which is funded through the federal government, has enjoyed a long partnership with the university up until now; dialogue with administrators over this issue has been futile, students say.
This year, more than 130 high school students are enrolled in the program, and 80 of them will stay in the campus dorms this summer. The program provides counselors as well as teachers to help students make up courses and prepare for college. With heavy state budget cuts coming down the pike and a reduction in summer school classes at in San Francisco high schools, it's the wrong time to get rid of Upward Bound, Glanville said.
"No student was informed of this decision," she said. "There has been no consideration of the process. They need USF -- it's been a second home to these kids
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