Nursing program suffers possible cutback By Doug Vaughan Of The Print The proposed 1983-84 budget at Clackamas Com­ munity College is contained in two large booklets and is several inches high, but what it does not contain is the concern of several nursing students. In the past the College has offered two sections of entry­ level nursing classes, with 22 students in each. All that is budgeted for next year is one section for 33 students. “Eleven positions does not sound like many (to be eliminated) but it is a quarter of the program,” Beth Rogers, nursing student, said. “I do not have any more classes to take, so what am I suppose to do, wait another year to continue my education?” ’ Dr. John Hakanson, the College’s president, said the decision was only a matter of dollars and cents. “The reason it was not put in the budget is that it is more cost effective to have one section with 33 students instead of two with 22,” he said. A letter signed by 44 nurs­ ing students was sent to each board member showing their dissatisfaction. In addition, many of the potential nurses showed up at the May 9 Board of Education meeting where the budget was presented to the board members. Several questions were asked about the budget, and a motion was passed to have the board members look over the budget and return next week with questions that the faculty could answer involving the budget. Even though a definite answer was not given to the nursing students, their concern was noticed. “The only alternative is to offer the program, and we would like to. The board asked us to come back with a recom­ mendation next week,” Hakanson said. Ron Fullerton, board member, showed concern about the nursing problem because the College currently has the space an equipment for the program. “If you do not have the space, equipment or faculty then you have a big problem. But when you have the space and the equipment, but not the staff, you have a much smaller problem,” Fullerton said. Hakanson said the addi­ tion would cost the Colege ap­ proximately $30,000. He said there was an estimate of $20,000 by the students, but they did not take into account the fringe benefits and the fact that it is a 12-month teaching position. “We would like to serve the student’s needs but first we are going to have to decide where we are going to get the money,” Hakanson said. “As everyone knows, we are facing tight financing this year.” The need for nursing pro­ grams was demonstrated by Rogers, as she pointed out that last week in the Oregonian there were 134 job openings for Registered Nurses, as op­ posed to three auto mechanics, three drafting, no welding and 22 engineering jobs. One area that has pleased in their strive to get the class reinstated is the cooperation from the faculty. “The faculty support has been really positive—there hasn’t been one negative comment about the nursing program. They are the ones who have kept me going in the times where it felt like I have hit a brick wall,” she said. Garden plots still offered The Greenfingers Com­ munity Garden Project at Clackamas Community Col­ lege opened May 8, providing 700 square feet of garden space to district residents for $4 a plot. The gardens, provided with free irrigation, are located between the Orchard Center and the Environmental Learn­ ing Center. Some 275 plots have been set aside. “There are still quite a number of plots available,” Garden Project Coordinator Paul Fiskum said. For more information call 657-8400, ext. 208. Anne Tongue gives birth to boy Anne Tongue, the Clackamas Community Col­ lege public information specialist, gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Monday, May 2. Sam Donelson Tongue weighed in at eight pounds, 13 ounces and was born at Kaiser hospital in Portland. Mother, baby and father Christopher are all doing well, according to the Public Information Office, which also pointed out that Sam Donelson was “not nam­ ed after the ABC News Washington, D.C. correspon­ dent.” Page 4 Clackamas Community Cqllege