Auto-tech program in examination during budget cuts

Oxnard College students and teachers are heart broken to hear that the Ventura County Community College District is currently considering Auto Technology one of seven career technology programs at Oxnard College for elimination.

Andrew Cawalti who is an Auto Technology instructor shared that the dean of the college personally notified him about Auto Technology being highly considered for elimination due to the district's budget downfall, and that in her opinion it is a ninety-nine percent done deal.

"[Auto Technology] was chosen because of costs, the district needs to cut about two million dollars of costs from Oxnard College but I find it interesting that English, history, and mathematics are not receiving any cuts, not even a two percent cut! And English is about a two million dollar a year program. I might be naive but I thought the whole campus would be experiencing cuts but instead they have exclusively gone against seven career technology programs," stated Cawalti.

Cawalti stated that many students are out right now in the workplace thanks to the Auto Technology program at Oxnard College.  In the last month they have placed students at the Silver Star Automotive Group in Thousand Oaks, Mercedes of Thousand Oaks, Jaguar of Thousand Oaks, Lexus of Thousand Oaks, Kemp Ford of Thousand Oaks, and Lexus of Oxnard.

The goal for community colleges are to provide education to further help the community which is something that Auto Technology has been doing when teaching their students a talent that they can get easily get a job within the Oxnard Community.

"I am sad to see so many men and women that haven't worked well in the high schools and they come here and for the first time they want to read the textbook and do the math to learn about cars and how to get a good quality job that pays well and that's something that Oxnard College has been providing for over 35 years and it is hard to see that door being closed. It was one of the first programs on this campus," said Cawalti.

"Auto Technology is a great program, the best actually," Auto technology student Conrad Hernandez said. "When I found out it was not going to be offered anymore I thought it was crazy, I didn't understand why. It is taking away from a lot of people's livelihoods! A lot of people are in mechanics industry in this community and are trying to start their own business. Auto Technology offers a window of opportunity for them."

Eduardo Mora who is also a student at Oxnard College was also very disappointed when he was notified that Auto Technology is possibly not going to be offered next year.

Mora stated, "I really wanted to keep going with the program since I really wanted to be a mechanic. I decided to come to Oxnard College because UTI and other schools are too expensive and this program was close to home."

Like Mora, many others will now be unable to finish attaining the skills at Oxnard College that they need to be able to acquire a job in the auto mechanic industry.

Students are the number one victims of the budget cuts; along with Mora and Hernandez other students are willing to do whatever is possible to stop the district from eliminating Auto Technology. Students interested in getting involved with the current budget cut situations are invited to attend the Oxnard College Associated Student Government meetings.