Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About Cougar print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1976-1977 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1976)
Financial problems told Community colleges face crisis | The nation's community colleges are facing serious financial crisis. Legislatures in 13 states have already put limitations on community college enrollments because al ready overburdened taxpayers are not will ing to finance these institutions as they have in the past. According to Dr. J. Gleazer Jr., president of the American Association of Junior and Community Colleges, the growth of the nations community colleges and their in creasing costs to taxpayers are closing an open door policy that allows persons from low income and minority groups to attain a college education. Nationally, enrollments in community colleges have exceeded most expectations, from 660,000 students in 678 community colleges in 1960 to over 4 million students enrolled in college transfer classes in more than 1,200 colleges. In most cases enroll ment in technical and vocational programs exceeds this figure. In a series of articles for "The Bridge", Portland Community College's newspaper, Dr. Gleazer wrote, "The community college exists to fill an educational void." It exists to encourage students who, for any reason, financially or socially, have not finished their educations. A recent study of California community colleges shows that "Community college enrollments continue to grow at a rate exceeding projections, in part as a result of the development of programs and services for new student clienteles." "They include the educationally and economically disadvantaged, the physically handicapped, women reentering post secon dary education, senior citizens, workers needing training for relicensing and high school students who can profit from college courses." There has been no "steady state" in community college enrollments -- no shrink age or plateaus. Although enrollment in many types of educational institutions will decline or stabilize by 1980 community college enrollment will continue to grow, But as demands for educational services Alpha Awareness takes different health approach For a health class that took a different approach toward health, Carol Petersen's class was of significant value. Petersen's class, for example, dealt with how to cope with everyday problems and showed stu dents how to relax through relaxation exer cises. The class was based on the Alpha Aware ness Program which is a method of training one's mental abilities in a positive manner to live life in a more advantageous way. Much of the program simply helps persons deal with everyday problems. Petersen will not teach her regular health class this winter as she will be on leave of absence to work with the Alpha Awareness Program. This opportunity will allow her to work in this general area and possibly travel throughout the U.S. Petersen will be back spring term unless the Alpha Aware ness Program has more to offer. "This opportunity gives me a chance to see how life is outside of an educational structure," said Petersen. Evening college shows enrollment increase Stan Plewe, supervisor of the evening college at Clackamas Community College, said that the number of people involved in CCC's community education program is phenomenal. Plewe reported that the latest head count is 4,437 students compared with approxi mately 4,000 students at this time last year. More classes are being offered this year than ever before. At a meeting on Nov. 2, Dr. Hakanson, CCC president, reported that enrollment was down in full time occupational, part- time occupational supplimentary and non credit classes by the end of the fourth week of the fall quarter -- creating an approxi mated $340,000 loss in revenue. "Enrollment has improved since that time," said Hakanson, explaining that sub sequent figures show an increase in non credit classes (also occupational supplimen tary). Plewe said, "To speculate about enroll ment in non-credit classes by the end of the fourth week would be like flying over the battlefield and estimating what the casualties are from the bomber." Plewe also Page 18 said that you just can't tell at that point because non-credit classes are staggered, and starting) dates don't coincide with classes on the CCC campus. Even though non-credit classes are flour ishing, Bill Ryan, CCC dean of college ser vices, reports that the total enrollment is still down about 6 percent. As for the loss in revenue created by the decrease in enrollment, Ryan explained that the amount of students enrolled in non- credit classes has very little influence, be cause they are nonreimbursable. "CCC receives $825.00 state reimburse ment for each FTE (full time student), and no reimbursement for students enrolled in non-credit classes," said Ryan. EARN UP TO $3000 PER SEMESTER OR MUCH MORE! Campus Reps wanted to post distribute for commission. Lines guaranteed to sell. Agressive, motivated persdns. Few hours weekly. Send resume, $2, for job descrip tion, info sheets, application forms, post & handling. Upon acceptance receive coding number, memb. card, work manual free. With first weekly commission check receive your $2 back. WRITE: Nationwide College Market ing Services (NCMS), Box 1384, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106.. expands - financial resources do notl is causing state legislatures throughal country to impose enrollment ceiling! dents are being turned away from full! According to Gleazer, the people! are affected most are those who nel educational benefits the most. Those are unsure of themselves and of ace ways are seldom first in line when edu! al opportunities are given on a first: first served basis. Gleazer feels that before this pel can be solved the community colleges! define their purposes and then find J best serve the needs of a majority oil students. I He fears that priority decisions ! made based on "out-of-date informal That people in decision- making capfl will formulate public policy on thfl membered stereotypes of college as: 25 years ago. "The average age of the communitfl lege student is 29," he wrote. "Most stulI work part-time or full-time and pay! The wide variety of services offered fl response to their needs. Educational I have changed remarkably in recent yl In a series of meetings held by a cl in a California city the citizens agree! in the event of a reduction in adult! tion programs at community college!, following would be considered an adult! and would not be subject to any reduefl —Adult basic education Ol —High school completion —English as a second language an! zenship )Vf —Vocational education classes de! for employment |ei —Classes for the handicapped ¡fl —Parent participation classes fl "Institutional policies are being t oped," wrote Gleazer. "Priorities are! determined and legislators informed! the process has just begun." fl rer 3 JLODZ m He can buy any gift you 1 give him, except your portri There is still time. 232-5104 Photography by Fudge 2607 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Home - Outdoors - Studio Clackamas Community 01I