CCHA Statement on the NEH
We at CCHA are a nonpartisan organization that seeks to strengthen students’ understanding of the value of the humanities and how studying the humanities at a community college can lead to more successful, reasoned, and enriched lives. We have never seen the humanities as having a partisan identity, and we remain steadfast in this belief.
Uniquely positioned as we are, community colleges are often the first point entry into higher education for members of our local communities. This is often the first step towards being a future small or large business owner. It is the first step in becoming a nurse. It is the first step in becoming an HVAC technician, and it is the first step in becoming a teacher. Furthermore, the first classes most of these students take are humanities classes, where students learn how to write well, how to formulate an argument, and how to use logic to ensure a stance is sound. These are skills that are necessary for all jobs in our 21st century workforce, and they cannot be learned without robust support for the humanities.
It is from this resolute belief in the value of the humanities that we joined our colleagues at the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) in signing onto their joint statements regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Updated Conference Plans
Due to the uncertainty around funding at national and, by extension, institutional levels, CCHA is making the following decisions to support our members.
- We have decided the best approach for this year’s conference is to hold it virtually. While we would much prefer to see everyone in person, we have already fielded questions from concerned presenters who are understandably worried about access to funding. We believe this gives all members the best opportunity for presenters to share their work while expanding the pool of attendees who can access this content.
- The cost for the virtual conference attendance for our members can and will be scaled back significantly based on this change.
- We will continue the increased number of monthly webinars and PD opportunities and are re-allocating time and resources from in-person conference planning to offering year-round opportunities.
- To this end, we will be opening a new “proposal portal” where our members can propose ideas for future monthly webinars; more information on this will be forthcoming.
Lastly, we want everyone to know that we do not make these decisions easily or take this situation lightly, which is why we are trying to approach the macro-environment in a way that best supports all our members as well as possible. We thank you for understanding, and please be on the lookout for further communication from CCHA.