Santa Monica College: A Comprehensive Overview
Santa Monica College (SMC) is a public community college located in the coastal city of Santa Monica, California. As one of California’s leading community colleges, SMC specializes in the first two years of the baccalaureate degree. SMC believes in a smarter kind of higher education, offering both academic and workforce education to students from all walks of life.
History
Founded as a junior college in 1929, SMC initially served pre-college high school students, eventually expanding its enrollment to educate college-age and non-traditional students with the intention to transfer to a four-year university. Santa Monica Junior College was established in September 1929 with seven faculty members and 153 students in classes held on the second floor of Santa Monica High School. Attended primarily by high school students, it was originally part of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Despite the ensuing Wall Street Crash of 1929 and Great Depression, the school's enrollment increased to 355 in 1930 and 600 in 1931. In 1932, the college moved to the vacant brick Garfield Elementary School building on Michigan Avenue. In 1940, following a number of failed attempts to relocate to a larger property, the school purchased 6.18 acres (2.50 ha) on Pico Boulevard for $10,197.
In 1945, the junior college changed its name to Santa Monica City College. The Pico Boulevard and 17th Street campus opened on January 18, 1952, to 1,200 students. The college's first bond measure was passed in 1946 for the construction of Corsair Stadium, which began in 1946 and was completed in 1948. In 1969, the college secured its own governing board under the creation of the Santa Monica Junior College District.
Financial Challenges and Controversies
Santa Monica College experienced a financial crisis in 1972 when the state of California changed the age of majority from 21 to 18. Since the state paid $40 more per unit of attendance of minors than adults, the change cut SMC's budget in half. Additionally, state funding for community college students in California went to the student's home district and not the college's district. SMC had a contract with the City of Los Angeles to finance students from Los Angeles, but since one-third of SMC students were from districts outside of Los Angeles, the city would lose even more funding. As a result, Los Angeles planned to cancel its financial compensation contract with SMC. The college consequently sent termination letters to all faculty and staff, effective September 1972. The crisis was halted on March 8, 1972, when the California State Senate passed a bill temporarily exempting community colleges from the financial effects of the change in the age of adulthood.
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In 2012, Santa Monica College received national attention due to a controversial plan to create a two-tier system of education in which more "popular" courses would be offered at higher costs. Protests at a board meeting immediately following the plan's proposal led to several students being pepper sprayed. A report on the event resulted in an officer's dismissal. The report also faulted several members of the protest for provoking officers. Some people exclaimed "We got pepper sprayed!".
Tragedies
On June 7, 2013, a killing spree occurred in Santa Monica that left a total of five people dead, including the gunman, and injured five others. The incident started several miles off-campus before the gunman traveled to SMC and entered the college's library, where he was later fatally shot by police. School officials put the campus on lockdown as Los Angeles Police Department officers, including SWAT, cleared the campus.
On October 14, 2024, a shooting occurred at the Santa Monica College Center for Media and Design, where a custodial operations manager, Felicia Hudson, was critically injured. After an extensive manhunt, Dean was found deceased in his vehicle in Hawthorne, having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The college closed all campuses for the remainder of the week to prioritize safety and support for the community.
Academics and Programs
SMC enrolls over 30,000 students in more than 90 fields of study. As one of California’s leading community colleges, SMC specializes in the first two years of the baccalaureate degree, providing a pathway for students to continue their college education at a UC campus. SMC offers a variety of occupational certificate programs, including accounting, fashion design, office information systems, and the Academy of Entertainment Technology (which offers certificates in interactive media and animation).
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). SMC students have established a student body association named Associated Students of Santa Monica College (AS). The association is required by law to "encourage students to participate in the governance of the college". SMC's Associated Students is a member of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, a statewide community college student advocacy organization. The Superintendent of the Santa Monica Community College District/President of Santa Monica College has delegated authority to set rules and regulations for the district and Santa Monica College.
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Campus and Locations
SMC is the only college of the Santa Monica Community College District, a constituent community college district of the California Community Colleges System (CCCS). The trustees are elected at-large from registered voters within the district for four years. A student trustee also participates in board meetings as a non-voting member and is elected by the students for one year. SMC's main campus is located at 1900 Pico Boulevard and is the college's largest location. Another location is Bundy Campus, located at 3171 S. Bundy Drive.
Student Life
In the fall of 2015, there were 33,964 students enrolled at SMC. As part of its hands-on media curriculum, the college produces its own weekly, student-run newspaper (both in print, and online) called The Corsair. The newspaper began as The SaMoJaC and was published every two weeks before being renamed The Corsair in 1945.
SMC fields 18 sports, eight men's teams and competes as a member of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) in the Western State Conference (WSC) for all sports except football, which competes in Southern California Football Association (SCFA). The mascot for SMC is Pico the Corsair. Pico the Corsair derives his name from Pico Boulevard, one of the four main streets which form the exterior perimeter of the campus. SMC fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. Corsair Field (4,850) built in 1948, is home to football and track and field.
Testimonials
Students have praised SMC for its great academic education and compassion. Counselors are there every step of the way and help students find their true path. One former student shared, “Two years ago, I graduated high school knowing I could’ve done better. During my years at SMC, I found a great academic education and compassion; counselors who were there every step of the way and helped me find my true path.” SMC also offers PTK Honors Society.
Support Services
Santa Monica College offers more than a degree. The college provides additional support to help students remain focused on their education and their success. Community college helps returning veterans make a smooth and affordable transition from military service into the highly competitive job market. Every community college campus has a foster youth liaison to help support students throughout their educational journey.
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