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Two VC men's basketball players levy series of allegations against ex-coach Winslow
Athletes address ineligibility
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Dana Rene Bowler / Star staff file photo Danny Benson shoots the ball with Anthony Pimple close behind during Men's Regional Final on March 3, 2007, at Ventura College.
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Two Ventura College basketball players who had been declared ineligible to play earlier this year returned to their homes on the East Coast last week, but not before alleging their former coach was to blame for their college applications' falsely stating they were in-state students.
Danny Benson of Pensacola, Fla., and Angelo Whitehead of Brooklyn, N.Y., broke their eight-month silence and levied a series of allegations at former Ventura College head coach and athletic director Greg Winslow, who resigned from those positions in February and is currently on non-disciplinary paid leave from his full-time teaching position.
The players allege Winslow took their private information over the telephone in the summer before their arrival in Ventura and was the only person capable of filling out their online college applications for them. Benson said Winslow traveled to Florida to meet with him, breaching recruiting rules. Both said Winslow sublet an apartment for them and four teammates, violating rules against special privileges.
The two players were among six community college basketball players declared ineligible by their schools in January "based on the fraudulent applications that were filed by them or on their behalf," according to e-mails by their school presidents, Oxnard College's Richard Duran and Ventura College's Robin Calote. All are out-of-state students who were paying in-state tuition without establishing in-state residency, at a savings of about $4,000 per year.
Five of the six players have filed multimillion dollar claims against the Ventura County Community College District. The Ventura College players' claim was updated earlier this month to include Winslow.
'He needs to make it right'
Benson, a sophomore who arrived in August 2006, and Whitehead, a freshman who arrived in August 2007, are now saddled with thousands of dollars in unpaid tuition based on the new rates they have to pay.
When the players arrived in Ventura, they said last week, they hadn't applied to school, yet had already been enrolled in classes. They were handed their completed class schedules and dropped off at a Ventura apartment that Winslow had rented to house the program's out-of-state athletes.
"We figured that he was our coach, and he knew what was best for us," said Benson.
They feel differently now.
The two players along with teammates Tavaris Gilbert and Derick Bell had stayed all but silent since the Ventura County Community College District and Ventura County District Attorney's Office opened investigations into the program late last year. Benson and Whitehead said they were in the midst of their own six-month discovery process into the seriousness of their situation.
"Over a period of time, we've realized that he was behind everything," Whitehead said of Winslow. "It's come to the light."
"He lied to me," said Benson. "I'm in debt because of him. He needs to make it right."
'I can't comment'
Reached by phone and read the players' charges, Winslow repeatedly refused comment.
"I can't comment," said Winslow. "I wish I could."
Winslow resigned his co-athletic director position Feb. 8 and his head coaching position Feb. 15. His co-athletic director, Nancy Fredrickson, resigned her position May 4. Steve Tobias, the dean who managed the athletic department for the past 13 years, announced his retirement May 15 after Calote reassigned him from physical education and athletics.
Tobias was read the players' charges before leaving on a three-week European vacation Wednesday. He said he felt sick.
"I sit here in shock," said Tobias. "No one has brought this to me. Not a whisper."
Winslow was hired in May 1999 to restore a program that had been suspended for two seasons following sanctions by the Western State Conference.
"From the college's point of view and the community's point of view, there is a need for stability," Winslow told The Star when he was hired.
If the potential housing and recruiting violations are proven, the program could be subject to another round of sanctions, including the forfeiture of some of Winslow's 220 wins and eight conference titles.
'He never mentioned tuition'
A top prep basketball player in Pensacola, Fla., Benson said he lost scholarship opportunities at Tulane, Alabama State and Jackson State universities because he was unable to pass his state high school exit exam. He spent the 2005-06 school year playing local recreational ball, when another Pensacola native, Robert Love, who played for Ventura College from 2000 to 2002, gave him Winslow's phone number.
Benson contacted Winslow, and he went to Pensacola's Fricker Community Center to watch Benson play. Benson said Winslow told him and his family the steps needed for him to play basketball for Ventura College.
"I was tired of playing rec ball; I was ready to play anywhere," said Benson. "You see a coach walk into a gym, it's a blessing."
However, Section 2.7 of the California Community College Athletic Association's bylaws states that coaches are only allowed to observe, not talk to, potential out-of-state recruits outside of their own recruiting area. Ventura's recruiting area consists of Ventura County and all of the districts that border Ventura County.
The players said one important subject was left out during their recruiting conversations with Winslow.
"He never said anything about tuition," said Benson.
Whitehead, who learned of Ventura through Brooklyn YMCA coach Tippy McTernan, reported a similar lack of information.
Winslow "told me that California was a non-scholarship state, but all I had to do was pay rent and bring the clothes on my back," said Whitehead. "He never mentioned tuition."
Information over the phone
The typical next step for out-of-state students would have been to fill out the school's online application. Benson and Whitehead said that step was never mentioned. Instead, they kept in phone contact with Winslow before arriving for their freshman years.
"I came here, and my schedule was ready," said Benson, a sophomore. "Somebody filled out my application. The only person I gave my information to was Winslow."
Whitehead and Prince Abidoye, a freshman from Brooklyn, N.Y., who paid out-of-state tuition and therefore completed the season with his eligibility, said their experiences were similar. They gave Winslow their private information over the phone and arrived in Ventura to discover that they were already enrolled in school, without actually filling out applications.
Benson was asked if Love, his original link to Ventura College, could have filled out his application. In January, Regan Andersen, one of the two Oxnard players ruled ineligible, blamed a nameless basketball camp organizer in Chicago.
"Love doesn't know my information," said Benson. "I don't think he even knew my last name until he read it in the newspaper."
Eligibility paperwork
School officials showed Whitehead his original application, which said he was 22 and had graduated from high school in Bakersfield last spring. Whitehead is 23 and graduated from Philadelphia's Lutheran Christian Academy in 2005.
"They showed me some stuff that I supposedly filled out online," said Whitehead, "but I don't even have a computer. I wasn't aware of any online anything."
However, the players did fill out their own eligibility paperwork, which accounts for the time a player has spent between high school graduation and the beginning of the school year and is required of all players in community college sports.
Benson said he believes his eligibility paperwork was altered after he filled it out in October. Shown his 2007-08 Form 1 by district investigator Walter Johnson earlier this spring, Benson noticed the block of time in 2005 and 2006 that he had written he had spent out of state in Pensacola had been altered to read "Bakersfield."
"I'd never lie about where I'm from," said Benson. "I'm smart enough to know that it isn't the right thing to do."
Whitehead's Form 1 reads "stayed home (in) Woodland Hills, CA" for the time period June 2006 to August 2007. Whitehead said he not only lived at home in Brooklyn during that time but also that he remembers writing that on his form.
"I definitely put New York," said Whitehead. "That's what I put on the paper. I don't even know where Woodland Hills is."
Housing the players
Benson said he paid for his living expenses in Ventura using $4,310 in federal Pell grants, which he received in four $1,077 installments, plus work study and federal loans. From each $1,077 check, Benson said he paid Winslow upward of $800 cash in rent.
For most of the school year, six players paid $325 per month apiece to live in a three-bedroom home on Geneva Street in Ventura, which volunteer assistant coach Alan Dikes, a 17-year supporter of the program, purchased in October.
Dikes said Winslow rented the house from him for $1,600 per month, sublet it to the players and paid the utility bills, which went to Winslow's home address.
"Greg rented the house, everything goes through Greg," said Dikes. "They paid him, and he paid the rent."
Section 2.11 of the CCCAA's bylaws titled "Subsidizing, Inducements and Special Privileges" states "paying for, the providing of and the pre-payment with expectations of reimbursement of housing" is not permitted.
The Ventura College football team forfeited six games in 2002 when it was discovered that star running back Marcus Crawford owed back rent to assistant coach Craig Spence.
"I could guarantee you that Greg never made a red cent off of (the subletting agreement)," said Dikes. "He probably ended up eating a lot of (the rent). He never came out ahead."
Despite living on Geneva Street, the players listed Winslow's Springfield Avenue home address as their official place of residence. Both produced California state IDs with their names, photos and Winslow's home address.
"He told me to put his information on my ID," said Benson. "That way, if we moved, our mail wouldn't get lost. It made sense at the time."
Benson said Winslow moved him four times in his two years in Ventura. Yet that meant most of the players' mail, including financial aid paperwork and recruiting letters, was sent to Winslow's home address. Benson and Whitehead said they often received mail from Winslow that was already opened.
"I get a lot of mail that's already opened," said Benson.
Sitting on the bench
Benson and Whitehead said that, initially, Winslow had told the players the investigations of the basketball program wouldn't affect them.
But that changed when four Ventura players were declared ineligible at the start of the spring semester.
"We came back after the break," said Benson. "He's still coaching, but I'm not playing.
"That doesn't fly right."
When Benson, Whitehead, Gilbert and Bell were declared ineligible by the school on Jan. 11, Winslow told them they should drop out of school to avoid paying out-of-state tuition. Dikes remembers arguing with Winslow about his decision to drop the players out of school.
"We didn't want to stay in the house every day," said Benson. "We wanted to go to school."
In fact, the quartet continued to attend classes for two to three weeks after they were dropped.
Both players said Winslow waited a week, until they received their financial aid on Jan. 18, then dropped them from their classes.
"He told us he would drop us out of our classes," said Benson. "After he got our rent money. He knew exactly how much (financial aid) I was getting and how much he needed (for rent)."
That may make the four players, who already owe thousands of dollars in back tuition, ineligible to receive future financial aid until those January moneys are repaid, according to Moorpark College financial aid officer Terri Hernandez.
"If a student receives grants or loans and then totally withdraws prior to 60 percent of the semester ending they may not be eligible (for financial aid) until those funds have been repaid," said Hernandez.
'We had no information'
Benson, Whitehead and Gilbert remained at the Geneva Street house from that time until they left Ventura on Wednesday.
With each frustrating event of the past seven months, the players have learned more about the California community college system. Whitehead said the players now know enough about the system to tell their story.
"Before I was clueless," said Whitehead.
They didn't have much to tell Johnson, the district investigator, when they were initially interviewed late last year.
"At that time, we had no information," said Benson. "We knew nothing about the applications in-state, out-of-state or anything."
But that has changed.
"We've been putting it all together," said Benson. "We know what it is now."
They will need the knowledge as they attempt to regain their eligibility for next season. Both plan to return to Ventura in August and play next season.
'Want to erase this debt'
To play, Whitehead needs to complete 10.5 units during two summer sessions back home in New York, which will ensure another year of expensive out-of-state status.
"More loans," said Whitehead.
That doesn't upset the 6-foot-9 center as much as the debt incurred from this past season, which he blames on Winslow.
"I don't have any intention of getting any money from the school," said Whitehead of the claim the players have filed against the district. "I just want to erase this debt, which I don't feel I'm responsible for. We were deceived."
Benson said he hasn't heard from Winslow since receiving a text message April 23, two days after the coach was placed on leave.
"I really don't want to talk to him," said Benson. "We ain't got nothing to say.
"He told us everything would be OK, and it's not OK. I feel like I've been robbed."
Posted by just_a_thought on June 1, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that someone's idea of being "funny"....In the article the young man's name is listed as Anthony "Whitehead" and in the caption under the picture he is referred to as Anthony "Pimple". Haven't these young men been duped enough by Ventura County without being the object of someone's humor? I, for one, don't see the humor.
Posted by bray on June 1, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Star was the first to "pop" this story.
Posted by tim_timer on June 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The football program had its scandal, and now the basketball program performed the same unethical violations. Pretty much just shut it down. For ten years. Get those boosters into different hobbies and interests.
Posted by slevinenp on June 1, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets see. The coach did something wrong, and the so called students did the same, yet they all plan to sue the county... give me a break!. Grow up... take it like big men, and admit you screwed up. Leave, go home, and pay back what you owe to the county for the time you were in the state. Drop all the lawyer stuff. You did wrong, just admit it. Now the coach, fire his butt, no paid leave, and send him packing. Of course none of this will happen, rather it will be tied up in the courts for years, costing the county and school lots of time and money that could be spent for better things.
Posted by smithjc on June 1, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
and so the worm begins to turn.......
Posted by humpty_dumpty on June 1, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"They been declared ineligible because they were functionally illiterate."
This is the best quote yet. Did this program have any oversite by the president or AD? With no admin or current AD or dean....They should shut down the program for 2 years until they can build a decent foundation. Also why does this college stay in sports at all. They are educators and clearly cant run sports at a high integrity level. What a waste of money.....
Posted by NothingButTheTruth on June 1, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait a New York minute... a 14 year old can be charged as an adult for murder and 21+ year olds want to claim they didn't know falsifying college records was illegal: "the players did fill out their own eligibility paperwork." Now, thanks to lawyers, they want to AGAIN screw the college district by suing it? Note the Big Lie: ""I don't have any intention of getting any money from the school," said Whitehead of the claim the players have filed against the district. "I just want to erase this debt..."" The lawyers know the district has insurance and no doubt have encouraged these crooks to reach deep into the district's pockets. We, the public, don't know how well this case is being investigated, but computer forensic specialists can analyze systems used by the coaches and students for data and any documents SIGNED by crooked students can have FBI document examiners analyze them for evidence of tampering. Isn't is funny how these "athletes" chose to keep quiet until they filed a lawsuit? When the D.A.'s investigation is complete, we should then know what the computer's tell us and whether the documents were tampered with. Frankly, the "district" should have IMMEDIATELY requested an INDEPENDENT investigation by the D.A.'s Office rather than wasting district money for something that could have been done for FREE. Something smells fishy... and just how high does blame and criminal culpability go? And again, these "kids" are over 14 and should be prosecuted as adults... regardless of how stupid or immature they want to "claim" to be. Obviously Prince Abidoye, a freshman from Brooklyn, N.Y., who paid out-of-state tuition knew what he'd better do... and I'm sure he talked with Benson, Whitehead, et.al. It will be nice when ALL the facts are presented to taxpayers.
Posted by Raiderhater1 on June 1, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where there is smoke.......someone please check the football program.
This "coach" has been doing this since his days at San Bernardino Valley College. It was his arrogance that got him in in trouble. He thought he was untouchable, well.......
What about the Kingpin Tobias "I sit here in shock," said Tobias. "No one has brought this to me. Not a whisper." What happened to institutional control? Was Tobias on Mars? I find it hard to believe that he couldn't hear the whispers.
Finally, How can a student athlete expect not to pay tuition when he was told VC was a non-scholarship school? Once again it shows how these students were mis-led by both coaching staffs at VC and OC.
Don't forget Thieler was Winslow's assistant.
Posted by Big_Ed on June 1, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How can this happen??? Why didn't the people in admissions and records at VC catch this when the players filed their applications??
The answer is simple. Currently the VCCCD does not require students to prove that they are actually residents of California. It is an honor system. Who is in charge of this mess?
Chancellor James Meznek? President Robin Calote? Dean Steve Tobias? YES, YES and YES
Why doesn’t the VCCCD check to make sure EVERY student is paying the proper fees???? As a life long resident of Ventura County and a taxpayer of California, I am sure I am not alone in wondering why the Ventura County Community College District is giving away our resources.
The VCCCD should be looking at every student that comes through the door, in order to protect the tax payers. The community colleges do not require a diploma, transcript or a social security number from students in order to take classes. They have absolutely no idea who is in-state and out-of-state.
Obviously what has go on the in the basketball program is wrong but why is it that only some basketball players have been verified to make sure they were paying the proper tuition? How do they rationalize only checking one group, when, apparently anyone can do this?
The system is poor. Who is in charge of policies and procedures?
Meznek? YES Calote? YES Tobias? YES
How did they let this happen?
I am not defending Winslow. He took advantage of a terribly mismamaged admissions policy. I hope the Star plans on doing an article soon on why the VCCCD does not verify student applications for residency. Tax payers need to know where their money is going.
Posted by humpty_dumpty on June 1, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It sounds like a book by john gray"Tobias is from mars and curley is from venus" Give basketball a 2 year timeout......pull the plug......please
Posted by sportslover23 on June 1, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Curley earned some undeniable respect for this piece. It's about time somebody brought these malicious, deceitful "role models" to justice. It's been no secret Winslow and his henchmen have been duping the system for years, but no one has had the gumption to bring this Goliath to his obnoxiously bright orange slack-clad knees. Thank you from all former VC fans.
Posted by GWAR on June 1, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I took classes at Oxnard College I had to show proof of residence. For one year my wife had to pay the international student fee because she was still a Japanese citizen when she registered. Those players are idiots, their information is on webstar, they could log in anytime they want and look up their personal information.
Posted by Big_Ed on June 2, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GWAR,
If you utilize the on-line system, they do not ask for any kind of documentation. They have no idea who is on their campuses. They do not require a drivers license, ID card, transcript, diploma, w-2, rental agreement, utility bill, nothing, when you are a first time student. Call and ask one of the colleges, I did.
Posted by Sally on June 2, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no honest accountability with the VCCCD. It doesn't surprise me that the students were duped; they're young and uninformed & may have put too much trust in the system. Operating procedurs differ from campus to campus; how can there be any real oversight if the District can't get everyone on the same page? There is no real management, rather, VCCCD operates by personal politics & if you're in the VCCCD's inner circle, you get what you want. I know this from first hand experience.
Posted by NeNe on June 2, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by 805diva on June 2, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that when I went to Ventura College coming out of high school I was very intimidated. It’s a big campus and there isn't anyone willing to lend a helping hand. You have to wait 2 hours just to see a counselor and even when you finally get to meet with one they are in such a hurry to get you out of their office that you leave with next to no information. I ended up going to Oxnard College to play basketball. My coach sat down with me and helped me get everything I needed from registration to making a class schedule. I can imagine how these guys felt coming into a city that they are not familiar with. I would have put trust in my coach too. At least I was close enough to drive and meet with my coach. They however weren't that fortunate.
From what I understand Ned Mircetic (the girls Basketball coach) will be taking over the boys program next year and he is a great coach!
Posted by Sally on June 2, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just another word for the wise taxpayer of Ventura County: a few years ago the District hired a consulting firm (KHC) to help with the overall organization of the entire District; this survey cost approximately $100,000.00. It was noted by KHC that the District was poorly organized, needed consistent policies & procedures, etc. Do you think the District has acted on these recommendations? Apparently not, otherwise these young men would not be in the mess they're in! Shame on Winslow, Calote, Tobis, and the entire administrative head. And what about the Board of Directors, are you asleep too!, or is the taxpayer's money not important enough of your diligent oversight?
Posted by mgnm257 on June 2, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Players should have had a "hmmm, i wonder" moment a long time ago, but you can't really blame them. They moved across the country to a completely new environment, and had to learn on the Fly to figure out what was going on. If, as these players allege, Winslow did forge documents, that makes him guilty of Fraud. That is why the DA is involved, and If I were Winslow, I'd be hiring myself an Attorney to talk to the Star on my behalf, because, Nice job Curley, You have done what Journalism is all about. "Freedom of the Press" or "Freedom to keep government in check."
Posted by West_to_East on June 3, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright are these guys just saying "HEY WERE TWO CANS SHORT OF A 6 PACK." First regardless or what anyone says the coach was wrong in the start. They knew what the coach was up to, but it is illegal for the coach to falsify documents and house and open up mail. Those are felony charges RIGHT, so he is actually lucky they just want to the money to get them out of debt then to file civil charges against him and get way more then just thousands. Sad the school continues to pay him. If it happened before at this school and in Ventura County. How can you blame these guys.
Brings me back to this " Make sure your crap is right before you start to point fingers "
Posted by susiebarry on June 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Winslow is still collecting a pay check for sitting at home. This is cheating plain and simple and he should be fired from his teaching job immediately. He should never again be allowed to coach or teach for a taxpayer funded school again, at any level. Also, if he does not accept his firing and tries to file a lawsuit, then the district attorney should pursue criminal charges. This story is very disturbing!
In this time of sever budget cuts, maybe it is time to do away with community college athletics. How much would that save the state?
Posted by countybballcoach on June 3, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Susie before you speak you should read up and have at least some knowledge to what you are speaking about. Community college athletics especially the major sports actually make a profit for the school. All community college athletes have to be enrolled full time which most community college students aren't. Full time students I believe pay more than part time.......not rocket science. Don't make blanketed uneducated statements it just makes you look stupid.
Posted by susiebarry on June 3, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
countybbcoach
You are the one that may need an economics lesson. I guarantee you that JC athletics are not a profit center for the schools or the state. Your argument that they must be full-time students hence they pay more is very weak. Student tuition fees do not support a JC campus either. Taxpayer dollars support community colleges, not tuition. Tuiton revenue is just a small offset to the overall cost to run a community college. To be so naive, you must be a government employee.
Posted by humpty_dumpty on June 3, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Susy, Excuse countybbcoach...that is little Joey....and he just wants to coach at VC.....so he is smart and everybody else is dumb.....lol
Posted by JoeRamWPH on June 4, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Humpty Dumpty, Its Joey Ramirez, my username is JoeRamWPH. I went on this site a while back when there were comments about Coach Mathews that I knew were not true. I left my name. I dont have anything to hide and do not come on this site to judge people. I only want to state facts. Ventura College is in bad shape. Would I coach there? In a heart beat, if the time was right. VC is a GREAT place. There are people all around that campus and community that care. Coach Mircetic will do a GREAT job laying a foundation to build on for whoever takes this position in the future. Who is better to fix it than the man who built it?
Posted by lilmamma on June 4, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Basketball players be MEN and stand up for your actions. You were not decieved you were lazy and looking to play basketball. Take responsibility for your part in this mess. Why are we paying Winslow for this mess? He should be on unpaid leave pending the outcome of this situation
Posted by Big_Ed on June 4, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This was a letter to the editor today, but was taken down for some reason.
June 4, 2008
Tuition policies not enforced
Why doesn't the Ventura County Community College District have a policy to make sure that all students are paying the proper tuition?
Currently the district does not require students to prove that they are actually residents of California. It is an honor system. Tuition for a California resident is $20 per unit. Tuition for an out-of-state student is $175 per unit plus a $20-per-unit enrollment fee. Considering there is such a big difference in the per-unit cost, why doesn't the district check to make sure every student is paying the proper fees?
As a lifelong resident of Ventura County and a taxpayer of California, I am sure I am not alone in wondering why the district is giving away our resources.
Why is it that only some basketball players have been verified to make sure they were paying the proper tuition? How do they rationalize checking only one group, when, apparently, anyone can do this?
The district should be looking at every student who comes through the door in order to protect the taxpayers. The community colleges do not require a diploma, transcript or a Social Security number from students in order to take classes. Since that is the case, how do they know which students are attending the colleges under Assembly Bill 540, which allows non-U.S. citizens to pay in-state tuition as long as they have attended three years at a California high school and have a diploma? I do not have a problem with AB540. But since they don't ask to see a transcript and don't require a diploma, how does the district actually know who is supposed to be paying in-state fees? It appears they don't. Why? Who is in charge of this non-policy?
-- Gaby Hernandez, Oxnard
Posted by NeNe on June 5, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So my comment was removed and all these other comments where people are downing these guys gets to remain here. I hope Winslow gets into deep trouble. All yall are crap! Go Obama!
Posted by Sally on June 5, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The VCCCD doesn't choose to have written policies & procedures because management does not want to be held accountable to the taxpayer that pays their big salaries. If there aren't any checks & balances developed through written policies & procedures, (that coaches, deans, administrators, and suppport staff can refer to) one cannot pinpoint where mistakes are being made. This also makes it easier for management to point a finger on whomever management wants to blame.
Regardless of how incompetent the young men are to the 3-R's (reading, writing & arithmetic), VCCCD management shouldn't be! If the State's entire Community College system carries the same flaws as VCCCD, something is terribly wrong & the taxpayer needs to wake-up & take action. Why continue to employ those who apparently don't want to be held accountable for their role of accountability? If our educational leaders can't accept their mistakes & build systems that are honest, then our youth are doomed to carry-on the same practices. Thinking back, VCCCD management has been thick with dishonest behaviour; who was the past Chancellor who took the taxpayer's money for personal gain & then retired with a full benefit package? Come on folks, the VCCCD likes to reward dishonest behaviour & they get away with it.
Posted by Big_Ed on June 5, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The VCCCD is not complying with State law.
This comes directly from the 2007-2008 online version of a VCCCD college catalog.
"CALIFORNIA STATE LAW REQUIRES EACH STUDENT APPLYING TO A CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE RESIDENCY OR NON-RESIDENCY STATUS"
If the colleges and the VCCCD were not breaking State law, then the in-state, out-of-state problem they had with the basketball team would never have occured. It would have been identified in the summer and worked out then. It is shameful that these educators are such poor role modles for our youth. Why isn't the VCCCD complying with California State Law???
Posted by humpty_dumpty on June 7, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PULL THE PLUG......who cares about all this wasted time and money for what?? With the investigation, all the extra teaching money...extra coaches....this has to be going on 250k for the mess and they are not done yet....good job Calote>>>>>
Posted by Twotrees on July 25, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone that knows Winslow also knows he stinks of corruption.....he should change his middle name to denial.....Dave Patterson (ex-alum) and Chris Russell(groupy) used their credit cards to fly winslow and players in and out and Winslow had boosters reimburce Patterson and Russell.
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