■
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.
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