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Saddleback College defends senior fitness classes
June 15th, 2009, 4:00 am · 24 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
We asked Saddleback College to respond to the questions raised by Doug Goforth of Laguna Woods Village, who feels that state education dollars are being wasted paying for seniors who are exercising in their own fitness center.
We’re still waiting on dollar figures for the Emeritus physical education program, but here is what Saddleback spokeswoman Jennie McCue says in the meantime:
Since 1976 the Saddleback College Emeritus Institute has offered classes throughout south Orange County to provide life long learning opportunities to the older adult population. Many of those classes are held in Laguna Woods Village at the invitation of resident groups, including the exercise equipment classes, which are free and open to all interested senior citizens.The Emeritus Institute offers four classes in the Equipment Fitness Room Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Residents who wish to use the equipment room while classes are in session are asked to enroll due to liability requirements of the South Orange County Community College District. There is no charge to register and attend the classes. The classes were established in 1976 and are consistently very popular. During the spring semester, 1,525 students registered for at least one of the four classes.
These classes are supervised by two highly qualified kinesiology instructors who have master’s degrees in physical fitness and years of experience working with older adults. The instructors provide an individualized exercise program using a variety of equipment and provide information on health and exercise techniques. These classes are state-approved curriculum and are free to all students.
The petition you referenced was reviewed by Laguna Woods Village resident committees, including the Aquatics & Health Fitness Advisory Committee, the Continuing Education Advisory Committee, and the Community Activities Committee, which held a meeting in April 2009 and enabled residents to voice concerns and discuss pros and cons for continuing the classes. The vast majority of residents in attendance were very supportive of continuing the class and it was ultimately decided at the May meeting of the Community Activities Committee that the community wished to continue the classes.
The Emeritus Institute is pleased to continue to offer these equipment classes at the pleasure of the Laguna Woods Village Community.
Jennie McCue
Director, Public Information & Marketing
Saddleback College
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Thank you OC Register for exposing another abuse of the system. I will no longer support California’s Community College system as these abuses appear endemic to the system. I would call on the OC Register to keep digging into this story so we can remember who’s responsible at election time.
You are right! This is an amazing example of waste. The OC register would be wise to keep digging. California’s education was once the model for the nation. Now the state will spend $7,806 per K-12 student in 2009-10. That is almost 10 percent less than two years ago, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office! Talk about misplaced priorities. Those seniors who think this class is so important to them that it is ok for public education funds to be used should be required to observe class rooms at their local schools before being allowed to attend these “Saddleback” classes. It will be interesting to see what they think of class rooms with more than 40 students.
Doug is absolutely right! The Saddleback Emeritus program is ripping off tax dollars from the state. I am very familiar with exactly how much money is being wasted every day to fund the Emeritus program. “Students” are signing in on attendance sheets for days that have not even occured. The State gives the Emeritus program at least $13.00 per student. So if a student has already signed in for a day they do not show up- do the math. It adds up quickly. To me, that does not seem very fair. If this gym is in Laguna Woods Village then why and how can this program make these residents sign up for something that they are already paying for with their association dues. Why not have a gym on the Saddleback College campus for these classes to occur? The campus is plenty big enough. The so-called instructors they provide are worthless. They do not indiviualized anything for anybody. The population, the abilities of older adults, and just the knowledge of exercise has changed so much since the last time these “highly qualified kinesiology instructors” last went to school. And as far as all the committee meetings go, from what I heard, only those who were in favor of the Emeritus Program were able to speak due to time constraints. So if this is the case, then have a meeting where you can hear both sides or select a certain number from each side. In all, I refuse to have my taxes pay for this poposterous thing called a class. I do not want my tax money to go to a program that can be proven they are ripping money from the state!!
As a former employee of the fitness center, I can say that of the 1525 that register for the classes, at least half don’t even know that they are registered. The Saddleback instructors and their volunteer automatically re-register everyone every semester, so even if a resident comes in once that semester and never comes back they are still being registered semester after semester. On top of that, the classes only average 50 people per hour, so out of 1525 people an average of 200 come to the 4 hour period… and less then 15% of them are non-residents.
Not only are the residents of Laguna Woods Village funding the fitness center that is used for Saddleback purposes, but it is also funding the staff (hired by PCM) that is required to be there during those hours. The majority of the fitness center staff hold degrees in kinesiology, but during Saddleback classes the staff is only allowed to scan cards. They are not permitted to prescribe or demonstrate exercises (which is their job duty during non-Saddleback hours), and their expertise is being wasted during the Saddleback class times… just one more way that the residents are spending their money to support Saddleback’s greedy agenda.
Nowhere in Saddleback’s response to they admit to taking educational funds, which would be better used elsewhere, to educate seniors who are easily educated by the staff of Laguna Woods who they are already paying for via their HOA dues.
Laguna Woods Resident,
Saddleback’s ‘defense’ seems to be: We have been doing this a long time and employ ‘highly qualified’ people - How does this justify useing Public Education funds?
They claim the ‘vast majority’ of residents want the classes continued and ‘they are free’ How does taking monies from taxpayers funds dedicated to education become ‘free’? The vast majority of us also want free wine as well, perhaps Saddleback could offer a ‘grape class’…
The writer states that classes are ‘free’ to all seniors (55 and over). And then writes they are ‘free’ to anyone! Which is it? Do they know? Or care?
Hmmmm, I’m trying to understand Saddleback’s justification for the classes??? Basically, they are saying it’s okay taking money from the PUBLIC EDUCATION fund because the residents like having the classes. Hello!! The money is not intended for the resident of Laguna Woods, it’s for PUBLIC EDUCATION.
To answer you question Doug it everyone and anyone that chooses to enroll in the classes. So if a 25 year old man or women wanted to enroll in the class at no charge to them, but at a charge to the tax payers.
Reform is clearly needed. This is not okay. Another fine example of misuse of taxpayer dollars and why our state is heading toward bankruptcy.
I inadvertantly posted this reply on the article when I intended it for the Saddleback response. (I have senior moments. is there a state fund for us?)
Idiot, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling. The Idiots activity is not confined to any special field of thought or action, but “pervades and regulates the whole.”
He has the last word in everything; his decision is unappealable. He sets the fashions of opinion and taste, dictates the limitations of speech and circumscribes conduct with a dead-line.”
Ambrose Bierce. “The Devil’s Dictionary.
The Saddleback Emeritus Program is very beneficial for Senior Adults. The exercise classes help Seniors keep physically in shape and could very well save tax dollars by preventing some of them from getting sick. Then tax dollars would be spent to try to restore them to good health.
Dear George,
I never said it wasn’t of any value! However, It is a “Public Education Fund”, not a “Health Maintenance Fund.”
And what (pray tell) does benefit have to do with mandated enrollment?
It seems to me that there are choices based upon what the concern is:
1 - If the concern is over forced registration, then Doug can use one of the many, many other faciities at LWV during the four hours that Saddleback College is teaching FREE classes at that one facility (No, no, too much trouble to do that. . . )
2 - If the concern is over the use of the faciliity, then Saddleback can pull out of LWV and force the senior citizens to find a way to get to Saddleback College (Yes, inconvenience 1,200 people, that will go over really well)
3 - If the concern is that the College gets state tax money for each person enrolled, then Saddleback can get rid of these FREE classes and make seniors pay and therefore not take the state education funds. Yes, forget about rewarding seniors and thanking them for their years of service and for their years of paying taxes. Charge ‘em! (I am, of course, joking)
What Doug should do is argue his case to the Laguna Woods Village resident committees, including the Aquatics & Health Fitness Advisory Committee, the Continuing Education Advisory Committee, and the Community Activities Committee . . . wait, he already did, and LOST!
Keep going, Doug, bring it to the United States Supreme Court! But good luck, since every justice is 55+ and WANTS THEIR FREE CLASSES!
To “I want my free class”
Thanks for the encouragement, I will “keep going”
I have been working out in the Laguna Woods gym for over a year. My experience there has been very positive. I can count on the staff to assist me when I need help and to correct me if I’m using the equipment incorrectly. I am given an hour assessment each semester to evaluate my fitness needs. I’ve also had follow-up assessments as the semester progresses.
We all know that exercise can prevent numerous age related illness and disablities. I’ve observed 90 year old senoirs in the gym who move as if they were much younger. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Yes, state funds are being used to fund the classes.
What is wrong with that? I’ve been paying state taxes since I was a teenager. I think that makes me eligible for this service, in addition to being over the age of 55.
I’ve been to several gym’s in this area and I have not gotten the attention I get at Laguna Woods. Please don’t take this wonderful opportunity away from the senior residents of Orange County.
A.V. Resident
There is no disputing the quality of benefits to senior citizens or any desire to deny them anything herein. Laguna Woods maintains a hired staff, paid for by HOA fees, to attend to the needs of its members. The problem stems from Laguna Wood’s residents being forced to register for up to 4 classes (every semester) through Saddleback College in order to gain access to the health club and services they already pay for. In my view this situation is tantamount to paying one’s employer to gain access to their office in order to perform the tasks they were hired to do.
As a teacher and a concerned citizen I have been following this story for some time. Educational funds are very scarce, everyone is trying to get a piece of the pie but forcing residents to register for something they already have and have paid for so that the local junior college can collect state monies seems beyond creative financing. This may only be the top of a very large crevice which is eroding educational financing in California. All schools need more money but it must be distributed fairly and under honest conditions.
Mr. Goforth exposes yet another example of the waste and abuse of our tax dollars. I think that Saddelback College owes it to the California tax payers to provide an accounting of just how much money they have taken in from these so called “college students”, how much they have receieved from the state for each “college student” and what they have done with those funds. Lastly Laguna Woods needs to come clean with how much they have made off of this deal, because I would bet that they are not allowing Saddelback College to use their facility for free. I think we would all be shocked and outraged!
School districts are losing money to educate children and then we hear about the misuse of education funds. Children are no longer allowed to attend summer school, the teacher / student ratio is going up to 40 students for 1 teacher and then you have (CJean) being upset that education funds are being taken away for his/her so called gym membership that he/she already pays for through HOA dues!
How many times CJean do you need to be shown how to use the equipment ? And if you need attention get a pet!
Take away your opportunity? Those misused funds are taking away opportunity for the children. Is your so called gym membership more important than a child’s education?
I want to to know why this is happening!
The Saddleback Emeritus Program is very beneficial for my wife Karen and me. We participate in the water aerobics at Palmia on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We attend the yoga class in Laguna Hills senior center on Tuesday and Thursday. These exercise classes have made a great difference in increasing our physical fitness. The person that signed me up for these classes was my wife at my request. I have truly believe the tax dollars are well spent restoring seniors to good health.
If saddleback is offering classes that are benificial to people, that is great. They should not be signing people up as students though to use their own gym that they are already paying for. As well as not receiving any instruction to do so. All the time taking monies from the California Education school fund. That is what is wrong!
Now we know why California is bankrupt. Get Saddleback out of our Laguna Woods Gym. We already pay thru out association dues and now California is getting a cut. My understanding is 85% to 90% live here in the Woods. Why are we paying California? We have the best instructors, certified, etc, who are on the payroll of PCM.. Is this double dipping? \\The state of California is getting $13.00 per enrollment…alot of those enrolled are not even attending these so called classes (no instruction given).
Please investigate this rip off.
After 3 strokes, i have attended OUR GYM 3 times a week in the evenings. Our PCM paid trainers have done a great job getting me back to lifting weights, treadmill and the bikes! I would love to go in the mornings to OUR GYM, but cannot because I refuse to sign up for Saddleback courses, which aren’t worth crap! And after joining a voice group through Saddleback program, I found out what a rip off we are being exposed to!! Never a full class, give concerts to Assisted living residences in the area and charge them $150.00 to listen to “has beens that never were.” And the director gets paid by the Assisted Living Residence and gets paid by Saddleback, too! That is not cheese you smell in the air! The perfect morning would be, : work out at 9 am and swim at 10 am<BUT Saddleback classes have the gym and also the pool under their control! OK, now I feel better vocally but how about a little more clarity on what our residents want for their own,paid for, community? Mahalo for listening, I hope