Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About Cougar print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1976-1977 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 1977)
■ m ul itudents enjoy B average Study reveals high GPA at CCC By Steve Williams Staff Writer .According to the definition of the value each! grade given to Clackamas Com- jnity College students, a "C" is average, lis is all very well until one realizes that e average grade point for last term at CCC is 3.06 -- not exactly a "C" average. [In fact, the lowest average grade point erage (GPA) for any one term at CCC is 2.89 in the fail of 1970. The overall ’A fol the last six years, including last •m, isl 3.07. The GPA has been above 30 every term since the fall of 1972. This (doesn't necessarily mean that to t good grades at CCC is relatively easy hough that might very well be true, One problem with the "good grades eory" is the high number of withdrawals /) taken by students instead of receiving "F".’10.2 per cent of all grades in the bviouslix-year period were"W's'fcompared .4 per cent of all grades being an "F". For example, if the withdrawals last rm were counted as an "F", the overall ’A (previously 3.06) would be 2.67. This Eire is, unrealistically low since it doesn't ount for legitimate withdrawals for rea- s other'than avoiding a bad grade. Even,considering this lowest possible fig- I, withdrawals don't account for all of I alteration of the overall GPA above DO. Since the fall of 1972 more "A" grades ive been given to CCC students than any her glade - an average percentage of 29.5 per cent compared to 24.4 per cent for the grade of a "B", 14.2 per cent for a "C" and only 2 per cent for a "D". In other words, the grades of "A" and "B" account for over half of all the grades given since 1972. There has to be some kind of explanation for this abun dance of high grades. One factor is the different grading philo sophies of each teacher have effect on the higher overall GPA. Chuck Adams, CCC director of admissions, points out that many classes come in to his office with mostly "A" grades while others come in on a strict curve - 5 per cent "A's" and 5 per cent "F's" - with most grades falling in the "C" category. These grading philosophies represent the two extremes of the spectrum and most teachers at CCC seem to lean toward the former. GPA information at Portland Community College and the University of Oregon is unavailable, but at Oregon State University the average grade point of the freshmen and sophomore classes is only 2.54, GPA at Mt. Hood is 2.85, and at Portland State, it is a 3.0. The main differences between community colleges and state universities falls under the intangible head of atmosphere since the Oregon State System of Higher Educa tion guarantees that all of the material in the state schools is equal in difficulty. This atmosphere for learning is generated by several factors. OSU has scheduled, in its science depart ment, labs at different terms than the corresponding lectures in order to take vantage of the drop-out rate. This makes more room for lab students and cuts down on expenses. At CCC, the science labs are part of the lecture classes and not scheduled for dif- * ferent terms. Also, science labs at CCC rarely have more than 20 students in one period. The low student population at a com munity college is the main ingredient in advantages like accessibility to teachers, availability of educational equipment, such as audio visual aids, and individual help in the science, math and language labs. The high GPA of students at Clackamas may be related to the small student-tea cher ratio which nurture a pervading "high school" type atmosphere on campus. Other factors, such as the withdrawal rate, make small contributions. The complete cause of higher grades at a community college compared to a four- year institution is debatable. However, it could "optimistically" be said that a "B" received at Clackamas Community College is closer to an "average" grade than it appears. ■ Automatic doors establish irchitectural barrier priority Poor attendance hampered the success of second meeting between Dean of Students an Monroe and handicapped students held st week. ; "We were hoping for direct input from lore handicapped people," Monroe said, espite an all-campus memo and a day's otice in the Today Bulletin, just 15 peo- le attended the session. Only four were Bndicagped. Better than twice those numbers took art in the first meeting, held Jan. 5. That iscussion produced a list of 28 specific jggestions on Clackamas Community Col ne facilities and the needs of the disabled. P Monroe relayed this information to the ioard bfl Education Jan. 12. The board allowed by designating $10,000 for imme- iate architectural improvements to aid the lidicapped. Upon allocating the money, the board iked the dean to consult further with the tudents about how it should be spent. Last /eek's meeting was held for that purpose. I Fewlconclusions could be made, how ler, because of the low turnout and a chedu ling conflict that forced adjournment iter 50 minutes of discussion. The group ■ THE BAHA'I FAITH Isn't it time to find out what it really is? Free booklet will be available in the I Community Center, Thursday and Fri day Ilan. 27 and 28, from 11 a.m. to I 1p.m. Nackamas Community College did establish that the construction of auto matic doors should be the top priority in short range remodeling plans. Monroe said that another meeting would be held soon, both to talk more about the $10,000 and to "do some prioritizing" i the area of long range needs. CHEBRITY ATTRACTIONS PRESENTS THE INCOMPARABLE MhRV TRMERS IN CONCERT AUDITORIUM 8:00 P.M. FRIDAY, FEft. 4 Tickets *.5(P5.5(P4,50 On sale: Celebrity Attractions, 1010 SW Morrison, 972Q6, 226-4371. 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