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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2001)
Wednesday, October 24, 2001 Clackamas Community College . ' Oregon City, Oregon Volume XXXIV, Issue 3 President, students speak out MAGGIE JIRASEK Editor-in-Chief “Ask the Presidents,” a question-and-answer session with College President Joe Johnson and Student Body President Stefan Myers, gives students the opportu nity to express concerns, ask questions, and throw out new ideas. “We try to listen to stu dents and their concerns,” said Johnson while talking to students and staff in the caf eteria and answering their questions. Two sessions have been held so far, Thursday Oct. 18 and Monday Oct. 21, with the goal to improve communica tion between students and the college administration. “It’s an opportunity for students and the administra tion to ask questions and get some answers,” explained Becky Carnahan, assistant to the dean of instructional ser vices. It was not the first time in Clackamas’ history that a college conversation took place. Former College Presi dent John Keyser invited stu dents and faculty to join a dis cussion several times. “We have done things like that before, but the only thing that would make stu dents come was free pizza,” said Carnahan. “So, this time, we thought it would be a good idea to go to the cafeteria, where the food is already there.” According to Carnahan, the effort to gather students and faculty in order to share ideas and concerns will con tinue. “We want to have a col lege conversation once every term if the students are inter ested,” said Carnahan. “Next term we might try a different format. We will have students meet in the Forum, including students leaders, such as ASG members, clubs, newspaper staff and ambassadors.” During the 30-minute meetings, Johnson informed students about some of his ideas, such as establishing a web-based registration as well as his plans for bond-funded building projects. “There will be a new au tomotive building, a new-gate way building, remodeling will be done and new classrooms and labs will be added,” said Johnson. One of many concerns brought up by students was the fact that there are pro grams offered at many other MIKE POLLOCK / Clackamas Print College President Joe Johnson answers students'concerns while Student Body President Stefan Myers looks on during question-and-answer sessions held in the cafeteria Thursday, Oct. 18 and Monday, Oct. 21. colleges but not at Clacka mas, such as second-year American Sign Language. According to Dian Connett, dean of instructional ser vices, the program is there but due to insufficient en'roll- ment numbers, a second-year American Sign Language pro gram is not offered at this point. “If we find students who can take the class at the same time and the same day, then we can offer it,” said Connett. Johnson encouraged all students to ask any kind of question that they might have. “If you see me on cam pus, come and ask me ques tions,” he said. Questions asked by students at the question-and-answer sessions with College President Joe Johnson: -Why is the food in the cafeteria so expensive? -Why is cheap daycare not available? -Why does Clackamas allow financial aid for only nine terms? -Will there be food ser vice available on Saturdays? -Will there be more parking available? -Do we need more lighting? -Are there programs that the college doesn’t of fer but that should be of fered? -Should Clackamas of fer more classes in the sum mer? Student enrollment goes up as economy goes down DAISY BAIN A&E Editor Enrollment at Clackamas Community College has gone up considerably com pared to last year’s fall term. Within the second week of the term, full-time students at the college to taled 1,799. Fall Term Enroll ment (FTE) totals 7,166 full- and part-time students this fall. Many instructors have speculated that the recent attacks have played a part in the high enrollment. With the economic down fall, “As the unemployment many students are coming rate goes up, back for re so does our training. activity,” “We said Scott ."We are maximiz are maximiz Giltz, chair ing every ing every possible man of the possible cor corner in every manufactur ner in every classroom.” ing depart classroom,” ment. said Diana Diana Drebln The Drebin, reg Registrar college has a istrar. new partner Abnor ship with mally large Portland General Electric at class sizes are seen across the Wilsonville campus, campus. The criminal justice department is one example. “We only have two rooms,” said Dian Connett, criminal justice department secretary. The usual number of students in each class is 25- 35. Each room has a maximum capacity of 45 students and as of now an average of 55 stu dents are in each class. “We don’t like to turn anyone away,” said Connett. The criminal justice de partment has been conducting an open seat load. Rather than the school itself deciding when the class is full, the de partment makes that decision. The department has also offered many more evening and online classes to the curriculum, as well as a few new classes that have never been offered before. The Harmony campus is also showing substantial growth. At the end of the fourth week one year ago a total of 801 students were en rolled. Currently there are 966, which is about a 17 percent increase. See Enrollment, page 4
