Orange Coast College

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Excerpts from and copies of letters of
significance during Dr. Peterson's tenure of office.

HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY THOUSANDS, of letters have come across the desk of Basil Peterson in the course of his duties as President and District Superintendent of Orange Coast College. There have been all kinds– pleasant and unpleasant, long and short, those containing good news and those we would prefer not to receive or send. Some were important and some not important; but all were a part of the Orange Coast College story.

There was warmth in the more personal letters which he wrote. Sympathy and understanding as well as pleasure are obvious in a few which we share here. Names have been omitted in some instances for obvious reasons:

I have just returned from the Requiem Mass held for your son Jorge who was killed in an accident last Friday evening. We at Orange Coast College have been very fond of Jorge and were quite saddened when he passed away. He was an active member of our student body, serving as president of our International Relations Club.

Many of our students and friends of Jorge attended the Requiem Mass. Although you could not be present I am sure that you would have been very pleased had you been there.

The faculty and students join me in expressing to you and your family our deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. It is very difficult to understand why accidents of this type have to happen. May you be sustained from On High in your hours of great sorrow.

I appreciated receiving your kind letter regarding your daughter who is enrolled at Orange Coast College and president of our Associated Women Students.

I delayed making a reply to your letter until the Father-Daughter banquet had taken place. [Your daughter] did a very outstanding job in presiding at this meeting.

It was a real pleasure for me to be her acting father on this evening. We were very proud of her and I am sure that you would have been proud had you been present.

I was very pleased to read of your achievements in a recent copy of the local newspaper. Congratulations on passing the Bar Examinations. I know how hard and persistently you have worked in reaching this goal.

You and your family are justified in being proud of your outstanding accomplishments. We are proud to number you among the graduates of Orange Coast College.

I was sorry to learn upon my return from Northern California of your illness. Although we will miss you, we do not want you to worry at all about your classes. They will be well cared for by a substitute teacher.

I sincerely hope you will be able to completely relax and get well. It is important that you take the necessary time to do so.

If there is any way in which I can be of assistance to you, financial or otherwise, please let me know.

Mrs. Peterson joins me in sending you our best wishes. I am confident that through faith and prayer you can be made completely well again. At a later date, I shall come and visit you.

And a letter of appreciation written by a student whose achievements had been recognized by a personal commendation:

Dear. Dr. Peterson:

My husband and I were very pleased to receive your thoughtful letter concerning my academic record for the Spring semester. Thank you for the personal interest which your letter expressed.

May I take this opportunity to express to you my appreciation for the opportunity of attending Orange Coast College?

The following pieces of correspondence have been selected to become a part of this book because of their significance in the history of the college.

Three significant telegrams found in the early files read as follows:

Washington, D.C., December 22, 1947–WASHINGTON WIRED SF DECEMBER l lTH APPROVING 0-6 APPRAISAL. ASK SAPP TO ADVERTISE SALE. B. H. Peterson

Washington, D.C., December 22, i947–OCJC REQUEST GOES BEFORE REVIEW BOARD TOMORROW. KEEP FINGERS CROSSED. B. H. Peterson

Washington, D.C., December 23, 1947–WAA APPROVED OCJC REQUEST INTENT LETTER FOLLOWS IN FEW DAYS. DO NOT PUBLICIZE. B. H. Peterson

Following these telegrams and the accompanying rejoicing, came a letter from the War Assets Administration which added further to the feeling that things were moving along with the establishment of the new junior college district. It was executed in triplicate (of course), and read in part as follows:

In reply refer to: RLA - PLE - Rowse

January 21, 1948

Orange Coast Junior College District of
the State of California
Newport Beach, California
Attention: Basil H. Peterson, President

Gentlemen:

I. This is to advise you that the War Assets Administration
has approved the following property located at the Santa Ana
Army Air Base:

Land Area : 243.19 acres in the area bounded on the north by O
Street, on the south by l5th Street, and on the west by Harbor Boulevard.

Minerals : All mineral rights are to be reserved for separate sale.

Buildings : 71 Buildings as itemized in Exhibit "A" containing
285,000 square feet.

Utilities : Feeder lines running from main arteries to the individual
buildings transferred, but reserving to the United States Gov ernment
all trunks and arterial lines and necessary easements therefor
within the area transferred.

Personality : Cafeteria, shop, fire protection and maintenance
equipment having an approximate fair value of $25,000.

The transfer of the above property for a consideration of the payment
of the fair value of $868,907 less 100% Public Benefit Allowance is
subject to the following terms and conditions: (there followed two
typewritten pages of "terms and conditions").

II. Pending the delivery of the documents of transfer, you are
authorized to enter into possession of this facility as of noon
the 1st day of February, 1948, subject to the terms and conditions
of the sale as set forth above, and further subject to the terms
and conditions here inafter enumerated: (there.followed another
half page of "terms and conditions" ).

III. Title to the real property will be conveyed by
Quitclaim Deed within a period of two (2) years from
the date of execution of the sale agreement.

Very truly yours,
( signed )
CLARENCE N. HULL,
Assistant Regional Counsel.

Authorization to Fly Flag in Prescribed Manner

One of the points of issue which plagues Orange Coast College from time to time is the manner in which the flag of the United States is flown from the flagpole on the mall of the campus. It is like this:

In keeping with the nautical tradition of the college, the student body received permission to have constructed a flagpole built in the manner of a ship's mast. It was the contention of those familiar with nautical regulations that the proper position in which the American flag should be flown from such a flagpole was from the gaff, and that the house emblem (or Pirate pennant in our case) should fly from the masthead.

Considerable debate and confusion developed since there were those who felt strongly that the National Emblem should fly from the masthead, because it is "the highest point."

On February 1, 1955 Don Magee, Associated Student Body president at the time, wrote the following letter to the Board of Trustees:

My dear Mr. LeBard and Gentlemen:

As you may know, the Student Body has recently erected a new
flagpole, here on our college campus, which is designed along
nautical lines. That is, it has the main staff (the mast), a
crosspiece (the yard arm), and an angular piece nautically
referred to as the gaff. Thus the staff is similar to a
mizzen mast of a square rigger. We have designed it in keeping
with our Student Association's name–THE PIRATES–which, in
itself, is nautical.

Ever since the beginning of- this last year the problem of
the correct display of flags on our school "mast" has been
foremost in my mind and the answer to this problem has been
the stimulus for considerable correspondence and research
during the past six or seven months. The problem may be simply
stated as follows: Should the flag of the United States be
flown from the truck (top of the mast) or should the United
States flag be flown from the peak (the upper after-mast part
of the gaff); and depending upon where the flag of the United
States is flown, should our Pirate house-pennant (the skull
and crossbones) be flown from the peak or truck?

It has been my contention, based upon previous training and my
understanding of flag procedures, that the flag of the United
States should be flown from the peak of the gaff and our
house-pennant should be flown from the truck of the mast.
To support and supplement my understanding on this
subject, I have corresponded with some of my personal naval
friends and I have also sought information from such nautical
institutions as our local yacht clubs and boat companies. In
addition to these, I have been in contact with the Department
of Defense and the Oflice of the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of
Staffs and the Department of the United States Navy, all of
whom were most helpful in aiding me to arrive at the answer
to this problem.

(There follows 6 pages of detailed reference material, copies
of correspondence and recounting of conversations with authorities.)

Taking into consideration all of the above stated facts, there
is but one conclusion that I can see would be valid. And that
is, it is legal, in the eyes of the State and Federal
government, and respectful to fly the American flag from the
gaff and our house flag from the masthead. In view of this fact
and since we have a nautical type of flagstaff, I hereby
respectfully request of you and the Board of Trustees that
this method of displaying the said flags be approved.

Most sincerely,
/s/
DON PERRY W. MAGEE
A.S.B. President,
Orange Coast College

Don's letter in complete form was forwarded to the Orange County Counsel's oflice with the request that they check references for accuracy and authenticity and render an opinion for the District. Their reply, dated March 1, 1955, reads as follows:

Dear Mr. Peterson:

We have studied the letter of Don Magee, addressed to
your Board of Trustees, which letter you enclosed in
your letter to us of : February 2, 1955.

We have investigated the authorities cited by Mr. Magee
in support of his conclusions as to the proper display
of the United States flag and we concur in the
conclusions reached by Mr. Magee.

Respectfully submitted,
Joel E. Ogle, County Counsel

Visit of Russian Educators

Because of its unique philosophies of education and its fine facilities for instruction in both academic and vocational fields, Orange Coast College is regularly visited by educators from all parts of the United t States as well as many foreign countries.

In May, 1962 OCC was scheduled on the itinerary of a group of Russian educators visiting the United States under the American-USSR cultural exchange program. To the college this was simply a routine visit of educators seeking information and suggestions for the education of young people. However, a news story in advance of the visit trig gered a burst of protest from some residents in the community, based on the fact that these persons were from the Soviet Union. Adverse publicity for the visit developed and a picketing demonstration was threatened. This, too, reached the press.

The State Department questioned the advisability of the visit. Dr. Peterson informed them that Orange Coast College was prepared to receive the visitors from USSR and to show them the portions of its educational program they desired to see. He stated, however, he could not guarantee there would not be a public demonstration.

Late in the afternoon the day before the scheduled visit, the following telegram was received, signed by Dr. Parker Wilbur, President, Los Angeles Trade Tech Junior College, who was serving as host to the Russian delegation while in Southern California since he had been a member of the visiting American team which had recently completed a similar tour in the Soviet Union: "From advance information it appears that public demonstrations may take place if USSR educators visit Orange Coast College. U.S. State Department official recommends cancellation under circumstances. Proposed demonstrations might impair aims of AmericanUSSR cultural exchange programs."

Dr. Peterson issued the following statement: "I regret that Orange Coast College is the only college campus the USSR group wish to visit where the State Department felt it advisable to cancel the visit because of threat of public demonstration.

"Short of war, I am convinced that the only possible solution of differences between the USSR and the United States of America is through education. I believe in the United States of America without reservation. I believe in our great American ideals and in our public school system. I believe that our only way to convince the rest of the world of the greatness of the American way of life is by demonstrating to them that it works. This cannot be accomplished by hiding our heads in a barrel.

"We are proud of Orange Coast College and its program of instruction. I believe that if the Russian delegation were intelligent men and had visited our campus they would have learned something from us."

Dr. Peterson's Letter of Resignation

Complications from an old injury had caused the development of an arthritic condition for Basil Peterson. As the years went along this condition became more acute.

It was Dr. Peterson's belief that he should give all or nothing in any endeavor he undertook, although he had great sympathy and understanding for others under physical or mental stress. This philosophy he applied to his position as District Superintendent and President of Orange Coast College as well as to any assignment he accepted in the way of community service, or professional and personal endeavors.

And so it was that after a particularly physically painful year he dictated the following letter on August 5, 1963. The preparation of this letter was not an easy task for his secretary. No doubt it was even more difficult for the man who dictated it. This could be discerned from the restrained manner in which he phrased his resignation:

Board of Trustees
Orange Coast Junior College District

Gentlemen:

After much thought and careful deliberation, I will appreciate
it if the Board will release me from my contract of employment
as District Superintendent and President of Orange Coast College
effective January 31, 1964. My present contract is for the
period ending June 30, 1966.

My decision in this matter has been based on the following:

1. During the past two years my health has not been up to par. Medical
advice is that little improvement can be anticipated under the
pressures and tensions of my present assignment. It is my contention
that one should be worth his hire. Under the circumstances I am not
able to devote the energy and leadership I feel essential to my assignment.

2. It is my conviction that a chief school administrator should not
remain in a given position longer than eight or ten years. During
this period of time he should be able to make his contribution. In
this period of time, if he has shown any leadership, no doubt
swords have been crossed on occasion with faculty and citizens. I
believe it is past time for O.C.C. to employ a new leader.

This request is submitted at this time in order for you to have ample
time to make your plans. It is not my intention to seek em ployment
in public education elsewhere as I am able to qualify for minimum
retirement. Therefore, you are free to officially take action when
you deem it advisable.

In the event you should care to have me continue in an assistant
administrative capacity until June 30, 1964, in order to facilitate
the change over in administration, I shall be happy to do so.

This opportunity is taken to express my appreciation to the Board
for the tremendous support given to me and the confidence which
you have expressed in my leadership. My long stay at Orange Coast
College has been due to the fact I have liked my job with itsit
many challenges. It have been my life for sixteen years.

Sincerely yours,
/s/
BASIL H. PETERSON

Final Report to the Board of Trustees by Superintendent Peterson

As the Board of Trustees of Orange Coast Junior College met on January 27, 1964, Basil H. Peterson, for over 16 years President and District Superintendent of the District and College, took his accustomed place at the table for the last time. He was retiring from this position on the last day of January.

One of the items of business for that evening was a review of a letter which Dr. Peterson had directed to the Board, neatly tying up the loose ends of business that remained from his administration.

This letter is an important document and reads in part as follows, certain portions not touching on matters of general concern being omitted here for the sake of brevity:

Board of Trustees
Orange Coast Junior College District
Costa Mesa, California

Gentlemen:

As I officially relinquish my responsibilities as District Superintendent and President of Orange Coast College, this letter constitutes my final report to you. This report is a non-official statement to the Board.. It includes some of my ideas regarding unfinished business. Any official action on these matters will require Board and Administrative consideration:

1. Administrative Organization–Board decision on the reorganization of the Administrative Staff constitutes a number one responsibility of the Board. My suggestions on this subject have been given to you. Dr. Watson should make his recommendations for your consideration.

A reorganization of Administrative Staff must include new definitions of responsibilities for each position where changes are made. This means some modification of present Board Rules and Regulations.

2. Faculty Council (Academic Senate)–Closely related to the above topic is that of establishing a new Faculty Council (prefer Faculty Council to Academic Senate).

Very careful thought and study of this matter should be given by the teaching faculty, the administrative faculty and finally by the Board of Trustees.

In establishing a Faculty Council I propose the following considerations:

A. The Board of Trustees should continue to serve as the policy forming body of the junior college district. This responsibility should not be delegated to anyone.

B. The chief administrator should be responsible to the Board of Trustees in administering the college in accordance with Board Policy.

C. The Faculty Council should include the entire certificated staff of a college and should have the privilege of selecting representa tives to serve on an advisory board or boards to the chief administrator.

D. The Faculty Council upon vote of the entire body should be guaranteed the opportunity of presenting to the Board of Trustees for consideration any matter which they feel administrative officers have failed to propose to the Board (the wise administrator will be guided to a large degree by the Faculty Council Advisory Board).

E. The role of the administrator needs to be carefully defined (his responsibilities to the Board and to the teaching staff must be spelled out).

F. The role of the teacher needs to be defined. Emphasis should be made indicating the primary responsibility of a teacher is "to teach."

Through cooperative deliberation, I believe the above proposals may be included in the definition of "a junior college faculty council" which will permit faculty participation in policy formulation and yet preserve the important role of the junior college.

3.––––

4.––––

5. Financing Current Operations–During the past 15 years the assessed valuation of District property (taxable wealth) per unit of average daily attendance has gradually decreased. During this same period the current operational cost per unit of A.D.A. has increased. This has happened even though every effort has been made to reduce expenditures without reducing the quality of the instructional program.

Our operational costs per A.D.A. are among the lowest in the State. This is to the credit of O.C.C. in view of our strong program of instruction.

However, the fact remains that we are becoming "poorer" each year–less able to finance our program of instruction. This means that if inflation continues, and no additional state aid is provided, it will be necessary to go to the electorate to authorize exceeding our present tax limit of 35c for current operations.

6.––––

7.––––

8. Acquainting High School Teachers With Role of Junior College –In addition to continuing the regular meetings each year with the high schools on an administrator and counselor level, it is my convic- tion there is need to acquaint high school teachers with the role and program of Orange Coast College and Golden West College. I suggest that a dinner meeting be held each year to which all new high school teachers (employed by our two high school districts) be invited as guests; that a carefully planned program be presented to acquaint them with the role of the junior college. The support of the teachers of our local high schools will be a major factor in Orange Coast College and Golden West College fulfilling their roles as community colleges.

9. Sale of Land–The two remaining parcels of land on Orange Coast College campus to be sold eventually should be retained as long as possible. The value of this land is increasing daily.

10. Cooperation With High Schools in Vocational Education– The swing in national and state emphasis to vocational education in the high school dictates the need for high school-junior college cooper ation in this field of education.

At the recommendation of your District Superintendent, this mat ter was the focal point of attention at joint meetings with the two high school districts and the Orange County Schools office early last fall. As an outcome of these meetings, a working committee was established to present recommendations for implementing cooperative action. This committee has presented a plan which is now receiving further study at the instructional level.

It is essential that this matter receive continued consideration. Through joint and cooperative action, duplication of effort can be avoid ed and a strong program of vocational education be established for the students of our area.

11.––––

12. Financing Building Program–Attached hereto is copy of a projected Financial Report on the District Building Program through 1967-68. This forecast is based on conservative estimates and therefore should provide sufficient funds to do the building as outlined. It is essential, however, that the budget not be exceeded and that sufficient reserve be accumulated to build Golden West College.

In order to finance the planned building program it is essentialt that all revenues received from the 10.5c override tax, the out-of-district seat tax, and the capital outlay grants be used for new building. The purchase of instructional equipment for existing programs and the remodeling of existing facilities will have to be financed from regular general purpose tax.

13. Research Program–Since establishing our program of insti tutional research and appointing an administrator to direct this program many important changes have been made in our instructional and coun seling programs. The continuation of institutional research, in my opin ion, is essential to the future development of Orange Coast College and Golden West College. This job is too important to not devote sufficient administrator time to its direction.

14. Merit Pay–It is the conviction of your Superintendent that merit pay for certificated employees is essential to future salary program improvement. We now have a good basic schedule that guarantees all permanent members of the faculty a substantial salary. Our next step should be to establish a procedure for merit pay above the basic sched ule which recognizes outstanding teaching and service to the college. The development of a system of "merit pay" requires the cooperation and agreement of the teaching and administrative faculty.

15. Educational Television–ETV as a new dimension in teaching is going to be an important part of the instructional procedures used in the schools and colleges of our State and Nation. Orange Coast College and Golden West College should plan to use this media. Now is the time to continue to work to this end.

The Orange County Schools office have made an application for an ETV channel for the schools of Orange County. Your Superinten dent has written a letter in support of this application. Every effort should be made to procure a channel and if possible to locate the sta tion on the Orange Coast College campus.

In the event the County Schools are not able to procure a channel, Orange Coast Junior College District with the high schools located within our district should make application as a joint adventure.

16. Year Around Calendar–The Board of Regents of the Uni versity of California have taken action (December, 1963) adopting an academic calendar based on the quarter system to take effect on one or more campuses in 1966-67 (depending on adequate financial support from the Legislature).

At the present time, Orange Coast College operates on a calendar approaching a year around schedule. Prior to changing our present calendar it is essential to give consideration to the following factors:

A. Calendar of operation of "feeder" high schools–It is impor tant that Orange Coast College calendar be coordinated with the calen 243 dars of high schools from which our students graduate.

B. Calendar of operation of Long Beach State College, Orange State College arid U.C. - Irvine–the majority of our transfer students will enter one of these three senior colleges.

C. Ascertain that sufficient funds are available to operate on an expanded schedule.

D. If a change in calendar is contemplated which will involve a "quarter" rather than a "semester" system, ample time and study will be required to reorganize all courses offered.

17. Expanding Boundaries of Present District–On December 16, 1963 a report was presented to the Board showing facts gathered by the Orange County Schools officc regarding possible reorganization of the junior college districts in the central area of Orange County.

Your Superintendent proposes for your consideration the following:

A. Establish on invitation a joint committee involving one Board Member and the District Superintendent of each of the following districts to study the possibility of forming a new junior college district to serve the coastal area of Orange County:

Orange Coast Junior College District
Garden Grove Union High School District
Laguna Beach Unified School District
Capistrano Union High School District

B. Invite the proposed Unified District for U.C. - Irvine to also join in study committee.

C. Strive for agreement of all districts involved.

D. Present plan for new junior college district to Orange County Committee on School District Organization for approval.

18.––––

In transferring my responsibilities to Dr. Norman E. Watson, I am confident that the change in administration will be accomplished without disruption, interference or delay in our ongoing program of education and plans for the future. Basic planning for the completion of the current school year has been formulated and should progress with out difficulty. All building projects for the year are progressing and on schedule.

My interest in and concern for the continued success of Orangex Coast College will never cease. It has been a real privilege to have the good fortune to be the District Superintendent and President for sixteen and one-half years. The friendship, support, and confidence of the Board of Trustees through these many years will always be cherished by me.

Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Basil H. Peterson
President and District Superintendent

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