Hunter Bishop recently made a comment to address some of the concerns about the blog he posted regarding Angel Pilago’s education.
In it he writes:
…But are the community colleges and university equal in stature and institutional status? Hardly. Tuition is higher at UH, courses are different and less rigorous or in vocational, not academic fields, and community college courses aren’t always transferable (see Andy Parx’ comment), admissions standards are not as high at the community colleges, the professors and instructors are not the same as at the university, admission records are kept separately, and one is called a university with four years of study required to graduate while the other is called a community college and requires two years of study for a degree…
This statement I cannot just let sit easily as I don’t believe it holds much truth.
My reply:
Hunter,
When you graduate from any college at the UH System… the Diploma that you receive, all come in the Same Hard Cover that you can see here:

I don’t know how long ago Hunter attended a Community College or UH here in Hawaii, but I can attest as being a student at both HawCC and UH of Manoa, that HawCC classes were much more difficult. Once I got my Associates Degree I was able to transfer to UH Manoa or UH Hilo as a junior standing per the articulation agreements that agreed that course work within the Community Colleges would be deemed equal to that of the four year institutes.
You suggest that the teachers at Community Colleges are not at par with 4 year schools is also BS. Most of my professors at HawCC were far superior then many of my professors at UH Manoa. I learned far more at my time at HawCC then I ever did at UH Manoa. At UH Manoa, many of my classes were taught by Grad Students who I felt I had much more knowledge in many subjects.
I was one of those who chose not to go to college directly out of High School and therefor never took things like the SAT test. When I wanted to go back to college, the Community College opened a door for me that would not have been available at the four year institution.
Despite admission requirements, I can honestly tell you that most of the students that I dealt with at HawCC… Were far more mature then those kids at UH Manoa.
And that whole vocational response… In my entire time spent at HawCC, I didn’t take any “Vocational” classes.
Hunter, I don’t care whether you apologize to Mr. Pilago or to Mr. Rob Tucker, But I do feel you owe an apology to the Staff, Faculty, Alumni and Current Students that work at or attend these Community Colleges.
Your statements are quite hurtful.
Damon Tucker
Hawaii Community College, AS Liberal Arts
University of Hawaii Manoa, BA Communication
Filed under: Blogs, Education, UH | Tagged: Blogs, Education, UH | 2 Comments »