New College Out of Money: Teachers Unpaid, Not Teaching

Ironically, and despite its mismanagement, New College seemed to attract significant academic talent because of its professed commitment to preparing students for careers advancing social justice. This is the aspect of New College that is worth saving.

It's now up to San Francisco civic leaders to dramatically expand, or supplant, the current board of directors and provide a complete break from the school's troubled past. This may seem like an obscure story about the travails of a tiny institution. But a human disaster is taking place that should matter to everyone. New College belongs, as a matter of law, to all of us. It is an IRS recognized category 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, meaning that it is publicly subsidized through tax breaks to provide services the government somehow missed.

If this proves impossible, Molina, Swan, and Knowlton should admit defeat in their efforts to save the school, and help students and faculty get on with their lives and dreams.