Low success rates at community colleges is the title of a recent article in a Houston Chronicle newspaper reported of the low success rate of Lone Star College resulting in $3.8 million taxpayer annual losses. Information is reported by Mark Schneider of the American Institutes for Research and an article published by the Houston Chronicle 11-23-2011. This is an organization that was commissioned by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The fact is that there are too few students that begin and that ultimately earn a degree or transfer to four year college. Only about 12% percent of ALL college students earn a degree with a three year period and 30% graduate after six (6) years! This means drop out/attrition rates of 88% at (3 year period) and 70% at (6 year period) and certainly an indicator of college efficiency of the overall population. LSC officials will not provide data that relates to Hispanic race.

RACIAL DISPARITY OF HISPANIC FACULTY-The Hispanic enrollment varies from campuses that have up to 50% enrollment at North Harris with less than 5% of bilingual faculty. Similar comparisons can be made at Kingwood Campus with a 25% enrollment rate and a 3.3% bilingual faculty. The Lone Star college system has grown to include 85,000 students. In conclusion, Lone Star College does not want or seek help developing a diversity program that will begin to improve this racial disparity. Not only is the major concern to taxpayers losing $3.8 million a year, but a disservice to each of the communities by which the colleges were established for. According to published information, the number one priority at the college is "STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT". Clearly the Hispanic Community or the overall Community is not getting value received in this regard referring to the aforementioned article. It seems that the college does not care to engage in discussions with community organizations that can help them with recruiting and attracting candidates worthy of consideration.

HESI HISTORY WITH LONE STAR COLLEGE-After a four year relationship with Lone Star College, I have had an opportunity to evaluate some of the reasons why there is a very low success rate with young Hispanic/Latino students. Joe Ramirez, founder of the Hispanic Executive Society International has had a four year close relationship with the college. Since 2008 to 2010 began the relationship with a request from the management at the College. During this time, Mr. Ramirez learned of a serious faculty disparity and began bringing it to their attention with no response or interest. Recent audits for the last two years of 2010-2012 reflect a huge racial disparity of bilingual faculty who speak the language, or understand the culture which attribute to low "Student Achievement" among Hispanic students. Lone Star College promotes their college as having 90,000 students with a Hispanic Student enrollment over 25% or 22,250 Latinos only (5%) or 43 Hispanic/Bilingual faculty employed by the college. These numbers calculate Hispanic average number of students for each Bilingual Teacher.

CHANCELLOR'S CEASE AND DECIST ORDER-Dr. Richard Carpenter, the Chancellor of the Lone Star System, quickly terminated their relationship with HESI shortly after notifying him of this troubling "statistical faculty racial disparity" report. Further, a HESI was banned immediately from entering any of the campuses and demanded and threatened legal action if any information was published about their diversity program. The (5) allegations by Persson to support the cease and desist, were completely untrue. As of this date, HESI does NOT have any kind of relationship with Lone Star College. HESI is seeking to clear its name as a result of the untruthful allegations and investigate the matter and the actual reasons for doing so. After several attempts to discuss this matter, Lone Star has expressed interest in any kind of due diligence verify any of the presumed facts.

RESPONSES FROM LSC MANAGEMENT-When asked about the disparity and recruiting problem Dr. Persson replies, "Well you know that the talent pool amount minorities is very thin". Another response is "I just process the resumes that are sent to me from the central office". When asked for a copy of their recruiting history and plans for the future, there was no further comment or follow-up. When discussions at a board meeting regarding a sensitivity program, Persson replied.. "I don't think that I can sell the program to some of the Department Heads who have been with the college a long time". Her response "I can't help it if my mediocre teachers don't leave or quit..I guess they just like to work for me. The cavalier attitude toward diversity clearly indicates that it is not a priority. No doubt there is a racial disparity of faculty at Lone Star College and changes need to be made quickly to reduce the dropout rates and waste of tax payer monies. Anyone that has information or seeks to render an opinion on this article is encouraged to contact the Hispanic Executive Society founder at phone 832-360

Sincerely,

Unidos con la Vision...si podemos