Applause for Faculty of Merit College

* The bankruptcy of any company and the resultant layoff of its employees is always devastating to those affected. But the precipitate closure of Merit College on April 28 was even more traumatic for its students, all of whom depended on the school to ensure their success in the field of court reporting.

Your story seems to lend credence to the idea that proprietary schools are concerned solely with profit. While that may be true of some people involved with such institutions, it does not necessarily extend to the school’s entire staff.

Many of Merit College’s instructors have shown that they are at least as concerned about the welfare of their own students as they are about the loss of their own jobs. These teachers have volunteered their time every day since the school closed to provide essential training for about 30 students who are waiting to take the state examination to become certified shorthand reporters. These students have worked toward that goal for years; this continued daily practice, review and emotional support will greatly enhance their chances of passing that very demanding test.

As the former chair of Merit College’s English Department, I applaud my fellow faculty members for their continued dedication. It is they and their beloved students who will be remembered as Merit College.

SUSAN L. COLLINS

West Hills