MCC’s Smith Not Going to Cuba

Well before President Barack Obama’s announcement that relations with Cuba were being warmed, the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board sent the following email to presidents of her member colleges:

From: Karen Anderson [mailto:Karen.H.Anderson@illinois.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 5:29 PM
To: Presidents Only List
Subject: Cuba 2015

Presidents –

Cuba is calling!  I’ve spoken to many of you about an opportunity to visit Cuba on a general educational license in order to explore options for future study abroad programs for our students.  I’ve attached a draft itinerary to determine if there is sufficient interest from the presidents to get a trip together for February, 2015.  At this time, I have about 5 individuals who have committed to this trip.  Although there is no specific number of people we need to get approval from the state department, I would like to get a few more colleges on board to ensure that we meet the requirement that we will work to develop a study abroad program in Cuba.

Please let me know asap if this is something you are interested in.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.  The price is a great value, the accommodations are excellent, and the experience is unforgettable!  I am also working with the program provider to see if we can visit business and industry.   Karen

Karen Hunter Anderson, Ph.D., Executive Director
Illinois Community College Board

You can see what is planned below:

Cuba trip community colleges 10-14
The cost is $2,750.

MCC Freedom of Information Office Pat Stejskal wrote,

“We found the email invite dated October 21, 2014—please see below and the attachment.

“Dr. Smith had not even opened it, since she knew she would not participate.

“She is not going, nor ever planned to go.”


Comments

MCC’s Smith Not Going to Cuba — 10 Comments

  1. Connecting Dots – How is this obscene?

    You can go to Apple Vacation and buy the same thing if you wanted to view Cuba.

    Just because they are soliciting their peers, is an annoyance.

    However, this annoyance is far from obscene.

    Not to mention study abroad programs are commonly found on all college (2-year and 4-year) campuses. The students pay their tuition and additional fees.

    So I see nothing wrong or obscene.

    Its not like they are gaining the system or breaking the backs of the taxpayers.

  2. Who is Ernest Hemmingway (scheduled for Day 7)?

    Is he like a tribute author to Ernest Hemingway?

    Perhaps the PhD working for the state, who put this trip together, should remain home for some home schooling.

  3. Definition:

    adjective

    1. offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved:
    obscene language.

    2. causing uncontrolled sexual desire.

    3. abominable; disgusting; repulsive.

    I find it offensive and disgusting that community college presidents (all funded with taxpayer dollars) would go to visit a dictatorship.

  4. Who wants to plan a trip to Cuba?!

    I’m game!

    We can try re-write what Michael Moore wrought in Sicko!

  5. Why would anyone visit a country where the people are so oppressed they escape via rafts and risk their lives to reach our shores?

    It’s repulsive to think that our community college offers a trip there.

    Out of all the countries and places in the world why Cuba?

    Unless they are fans of communism and oppression.

  6. MCC doesn’t offer a trip to Cuba.

    The Illinois Community College Board (the oversight of the community colleges) was taking a poll to see if there was enough interest amongst the community colleges to offer a trip to Cuba, for a possible study abroad program.

    MCC didn’t even respond to the invitation, Vicky Smith had no interest.

    MCC does offer study abroad programs through the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs.

    Make sure you know whether the credits will transfer to the four you college you are considering.

    One strategy is to decide what four year college you want to attend, before enrolling in a community college, so you can determine how many credits transfer.

    In general a greater percentage of the credits transfer to regional public colleges and universities, the further away your 4 year from your 2 year, the less likely the courses to transfer.

    Plenty of exceptions.

  7. Compliments to Smith.

    I actually like not evening opening the invitation as much as I’d like sending a nasty note back.

    The idea of setting up such a trip, while the USA still has an embargo on Cuba, is repulsive, and arguably treasonous.

    You can tell from the itinerary that the whole purpose of the program is to convince people to undermine the existing embargo!

    JFD

  8. Another prime example of the Socialist (leaning more now toward Communist) illness that has been spread by the liberal leader.

    Community organizing at its finest!!

    Ebola wasn’t enough – now let’s go hug the enemy and learn about them.

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