Squidward Community College

Squidward Community College (SCC) is a two-year public community college located in the underwater town of Bikini Bottom. Established in 1978 by renowned clarinetist Squidward Tentacles, the college has long been plagued by financial troubles, a poor reputation, and a general lack of student engagement.

History

SCC was founded in 1978 by Squidward Tentacles, a talented musician and artist who dreamed of creating an institution dedicated to the fine and performing arts, as well as the marine sciences. Tentacles used his connections and savings to establish the college, which was initially housed in a series of rundown buildings near the town's central square.

Despite Tentacles' grand vision, the college struggled from the start. Funding was scarce, facilities were minimal, and the first classes consisted mostly of unmotivated or troubled students who saw SCC as a last resort. Tentacles' authoritarian management style and prickly personality also alienated many potential supporters in the Bikini Bottom community.

Over the decades, SCC has lurched from one crisis to the next. There have been multiple attempts to shutter the college or merge it with the larger Bikini Bottom University, all of which Tentacles has fought tooth and nail. The school's aging infrastructure, lack of modern equipment, and high faculty turnover have led to an enduring reputation as a substandard institution, despite occasional high points.

Academics

Squidward Community College offers associate's degrees and certificate programs across three main divisions: Fine and Performing Arts, Underwater Sciences, and General Studies. The arts-focused curriculum includes majors in music performance, visual arts, drama, and dance. The sciences division covers marine biology, oceanography, and environmental studies.

Despite Tentacles' original vision, the college's General Studies program has become the largest, encompassing subjects like English, mathematics, and the social sciences. This reflects the reality that most SCC students use the college as a springboard to four-year universities rather than pursuing the arts or sciences.

Faculty at SCC are a colorful and, at times, questionable bunch. Many are failed or embittered artists and scientists who couldn't make it in the "real world." Student evaluations frequently cite eccentric teaching styles, outdated curricula, and a general lack of enthusiasm or rigor. However, a few dedicated professors have maintained strong reputations in their fields.

Campus Life

Located in the aging, industrial district of Bikini Bottom, the SCC campus is a drab collection of utilitarian concrete buildings and laboratories. Facilities are consistently underfunded, with outdated equipment, poor maintenance, and a general sense of decay. The campus library and student center are particularly neglected.

Student life at SCC is similarly underwhelming. The college has no sports teams, Greek life, or active student government. Most students commute to campus, often reluctantly, and spend their free time hanging out at the nearby Krusty Krab fast food restaurant. Campus events and extracurriculars are rare, with the exception of the music and drama department's occasional performances.

Squidward Tentacles, now in his 70s, remains the college's president, constantly fighting to keep SCC afloat and maintain his dream of an arts-focused institution. His dictatorial management style and cantankerous disposition, however, have made him a figure of derision and exasperation among both faculty and students. Many see him as an obstacle to progress and reform.

Despite its many shortcomings, SCC continues to provide educational opportunities to the residents of Bikini Bottom, especially those looking for an affordable pathway to a four-year degree or training in the arts and marine sciences. The college's future, however, remains uncertain as it navigates ongoing financial troubles and an unshakable reputation for mediocrity.