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We're all familiar with Charles Dickens' quote, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." I think the rest of the passage is more interesting.
"It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness.
It was the epoch of belief; it was the epoch of incredulity.
It was the season of light; it was the season of darkness.
It was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair."
Surely this describes what our states and colleges are facing. Even in the best of times, community colleges play a fundamental role in our communities and state economies. We provide transfer education to a broader population than any other sector of higher education, especially for first-generation con ege students and underrepresented groups. We provide career and technical education for jobs that transcend both old and new economies. We provide developmental education, employee training, and continuing education to tens of thousands of students across the country.
Now, in these worst of times, faced with burgeoning enrollments, we are excited to welcome thousands of additional students who seek to better their lives. Yet, at the same time, declining state and local resources...