Update 5/14/18

Interim President Lortz paused his closure decision to allow time to connect with those who expressed a willingness to support the program.  Out of those discussions, a plan emerged for Seattle Colleges to meet with baking industry representatives to discuss how the district (this includes South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College) can best meet industry needs and student demand.  Those meetings will be held in the near future. 

At this time, Interim President Lortz is not forwarding a recommendation of program closure until more is learned from conversations with industry and further discussion with faculty.

While those conversations take place, South will not run Pastry & Baking Arts classes during Summer Quarter 2018 and is not currently  accepting new students into the program for Fall Quarter 2018. 

If the decision is ultimately made to close South’s Pastry & Baking Arts program, the college will meet its obligation to current students by providing support and opportunities for them to complete their education.

Background

In early April, South Seattle College’s interim president received a recommendation from the vice president of instruction to close the college’s Pastry & Baking Arts program due to low enrollment and high costs to administer the program.  The college subsequently held an open listening session on April 10 where supporters of the program, including industry representatives, current students, graduates, faculty and community members spoke.  After the meeting, Interim President Peter Lortz received additional emails and phone calls in support of the program.

Original Post 4/20/18

After completing a program viability process, South Seattle College’s Vice President of Instruction (VPI) has made the recommendation to close the Pastry & Baking Arts program.

The VPI’s recommendation is based on low enrollment and high costs to administer the pastry program as the college addresses a challenging budget environment. The recommendation is not a reflection of the quality of the program or instruction provided to our students.

If the decision is made to close the program, the Office of Instruction’s main focus will be supporting currently enrolled students. Options to be considered include running the program until current students are able to complete their degrees or certificates, and transferring students to similar programs in the area. Human resources will provide support to impacted faculty and staff.

The VPI’s recommendation is made to the college president, who then makes the decision on whether to recommend program closure to Seattle Colleges’ chancellor. The chancellor makes the final determination.

Download the program brochure here while you can.