No free classes at City College this summer

As students begin signing up this week for the summer semester at City College of San Francisco, school officials have a sober message for them: They’ll have to pay for classes.

“No Free City for this summer,” Chancellor Mark Rocha emailed college trustees over the weekend, referring to the two-year, $11.2 million program that began last fall and will let San Francisco residents attend the college for free through spring 2019.

Through the program, city residents have rediscovered the college that is anchored in San Francisco’s foggy Ingleside neighborhood, but which has campuses from Chinatown to San Francisco International Airport. Enrollment had plunged in recent years as the college struggled to retain its accreditation. But now, with City College again in good standing with the accreditor — and with classes available for free — enrollment is up by 17 percent, college officials said.

However, under an agreement between the city and the college, free classes are funded only for fall and spring semesters. So on Thursday, Rocha asked the mayor’s office for summer funding.

Hydra Mendoza, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff for education, told Rocha that City College will have to comply with the original terms.

“I have always advised City College that we implement the program with fidelity as agreed before making any major changes,” Mendoza said, noting that Rocha approached her informally to request advice on how to approach the mayor’s office for summer funding.

“I’m kind of shocked that the city would do this to the students of San Francisco,” college Trustee John Rizzo said. “After all, the politicians took credit for it and said what a great thing it was — and now they’re just pulling the rug out from under the students.”

Brigitte Davila, president of the Board of Trustees, said City College officials hoped that students could roll out of high school in June, and into free college classes this summer.

“I am remaining hopeful,” Davila said. “I’m hoping the city changes its mind and will be flexible about this.”

Meanwhile, the City College website — which touts “Free City / Walls Torn Down / Barriers Busted” — has added a qualifier: “Fall & Spring Semesters.”

The money comes from a voter-approved tax on San Francisco properties that sell for at least $5 million and is estimated to raise about $44 million a year for the city. A portion of the money is used to buy out the $46-a-credit fee usually paid by students.

So far, the city hasn’t paid City College because the city’s Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, which reimburses the school, hasn’t been satisfied with the accuracy of the enrollment numbers provided, or with City College’s efforts to inform students that they must first apply for state and federal financial aid before registering for free classes.

Now the city is evaluating the college’s updated request for nearly $2.8 million and its supporting documentation, said Leo Chyi, the department’s chief finance officer. If all is in order, the city will have 30 days to cut the check.

Meanwhile, college officials say they are not giving up on free summer classes. The 11member board that is supposed to oversee the Free City program will meet for the first time at 10 a.m. on April 20, at a site yet to be determined.

“The college will continue to make a case for an increased budget that fully meets the student demand,” Rocha promised the trustees.