President of Kaplan College's Chula Vista, CA Campus Parts Ways With Kaplan Following Allegations of Prohibition Against Spanish
In the wake of an alleged prohibition against speaking Spanish, the president of Kaplan College’s Chula Vista campus has been relieved of his duties.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, in May 2010, teacher/administrator Patricia Dussett informed student Jonathan Cedeno and other students that Kaplan policy prohibited the speaking of Spanish anywhere on the Chula Vista campus, which is located less than 10 miles from the U.S./Mexico border. Mr. Cedeno alleged that Dussett indicated continued speaking of Spanish on campus could have a negative impact on his grades.
Kaplan officials quickly denounced the alleged actions of its Chula Vista campus and apologized to the students. According to Kaplan, there is no policy against speaking Spanish on its campuses. Kaplan officials explained that while it is Kaplan policy that all courses will be taught in Spanish, there is no policy limiting the languages in which students converse.
Nevertheless, according to a report from The Chronicle of Higher Education, following the incident, the president of Kaplan’s Chula Vista campus, Dennis Manzo, allegedly suggested that having a side conversation in Spanish during class was “unprofessional.” Shortly after that allegation came to light, Mr. Manzo and Kaplan parted ways. Angel Roman of Kaplan’s Beaumont, Texas campus will serve as the new president of Kaplan’s Chula Vista campus.
