Students who are being turned away from universities have resorted who are applying to community colleges, but they have found it nearly impossible to register for courses. Meanwhile, the fee increases continue, ranging from 136 percent to upwards of 180 percent per unit. The California State Senate President Pro Tem, Darrell Steinberg, (D-Sacramento), alongside student leaders representing Cal State East Bay, UC Santa Cruz, and Ohlone College, participated in a live web cast direct from Sacramento on Tuesday night. Kevin Feliciano, who serves as the ASOC President, as well as Region IV Senator for the Student Senate for California Community colleges, also took part in the online panel. Steinberg’s theme was “State Wide Conversation – Student Fees In Higher Education’’ led the discussion on the impact of fee increases by stating, “higher education is critical to the future of our state.’’ State law says, “the primary mission of community colleges is to offer academic and vocational instruction at the lower division level.’’ However, the massive budget cuts that have happened due to the statewide budget deficit have forced schools to reassess what they do and whom they serve. It also presents logistical challenges to faculty and administrators who are attempting to figure out where costs can be cut. The biggest quandary of course being how to make the most out of the depleting pool of resources. Class sections have been cut across the board. And prerequisite courses are being filled past capacity. However, state leaders have urged colleges to prioritize three course areas: vocational education, remedial education, and classes that prepare students to transfer to a four-year university. Steinberg called the community college the “work horse’’ of higher education, the “bridge’’ to a four-year university, providing basic skills in these otherwise difficult times. Students were encouraged to send, via email, examples of how they had been adversely impacted by the budget cuts and the fee increases. Pre-taped,“day in the life’’segments, which documented students, that struggle as a result of the budget cuts and fee increases were included in the web cast. It depicated what most students are experiencing right now. The web cast will be available at democrats.sen.ca.gov/archives. Students who are being turned away from universities have resorted who are applying to community colleges, but they have found it nearly impossible to register for courses.Meanwhile, the fee increases continue, ranging from 136 percent to upwards of 180 percent per unit.The California State Senate President Pro Tem, Darrell Steinberg, (D-Sacramento), alongside student leaders representing Cal State East Bay, UC Santa Cruz, and Ohlone College, participated in a live web cast direct from Sacramento on Tuesday night.Kevin Feliciano, who serves as the ASOC President, as well as Region IV Senator for the Student Senate for California Community colleges, also took part in the online panel.Steinberg’s theme was “State Wide Conversation – Student Fees In Higher Education’’ led the discussion on the impact of fee increases by stating, “higher education is critical to the future of our state.’’State law says, “the primary mission of community colleges is to offer academic and vocational instruction at the lower division level.’’However, the massive budget cuts that have happened due to the statewide budget deficit have forced schools to reassess what they do and whom they serve.It also presents logistical challenges to faculty and administrators who are attempting to figure out where costs can be cut.The biggest quandary of course being how to make the most out of the depleting pool of resources.Class sections have been cut across the board. And prerequisite courses are being filled past capacity.However, state leaders have urged colleges to prioritize three course areas: vocational education, remedial education, and classes that prepare students to transfer to a four-year university.Steinberg called the community college the “work horse’’ of higher education, the “bridge’’ to a four-year university, providing basic skills in these otherwise difficult times.Students were encouraged to send, via email, examples of how they had been adversely impacted by the budget cuts and the fee increases.Pre-taped,“day in the life’’segments, which documented students, that struggle as a result of the budget cuts and fee increases were included in the web cast.It depicated what most students are experiencing right now.The web cast will be available at democrats.sen.ca.gov/archives.
By DENISE ANN BURGAN
Staff writer
Popularity: 4% [?]
