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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2009)
Ig First copy FREE, additional copies lç Clackamas Print K (l e p e n d e n t, . s t u d e n t - Las Community College, Oregon City, OR r n n newspaper since 1966 __ Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 bama’s era begins Volume 42, Issue 9 Grant cut leaves students staggering I Lydia Emily Bashaw II Editor-In-Chief J Contrilbuted by Obama Campaign ■dent Barack Obama was inaugurated into his role as the 44th President, in front of a purportedly record iking .crowd on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Washington DC. In his speech Obama expressed the need for Americans tome together to fix the problems that have been created by everyone in the nation. bonomie hardships freeze new hirings “All of those positions are needed ... but you can’t hire back every position you want in this budget climate,” Briare said. Briare agrees with Truesdell that the silver lining to this dark storm cloud is that this is a time to take into inventory hr sur\ iving the media dubbed “Artic Blast” students are what is needed and how staff and faculty can be best utilized. King back to college and facing a new cold front - a The wish is still that the cloud will soon pass inB'aculty freeze. “Every position there has a history. They’re all important in »sage sent out to staff and faculty campus wide on different ways,” Briare commented, “They represent courses )08, College President being taught. . . It’s tough because lesdell announced that the full time faculty contribute much ; in the college’s fund- more than just teaching classes.” iool will stop processing It is without a doubt that students pplications to fill open will be affected by the freeze as nd the applications that well as the departments. One of the l being processed will disadvantages Briare confirmed is at under a more careful going to be class sizes. “Some of the class sizes have increased,” he affirmed, also say some positions will like- ing, “(but) one of the advantages of I, it is my hope that the community colleges is smaller class ty will stay open for the ” Truesdell stated. sizes.” ' Even though the current budget situation may look bleak, Briare believes that there is hope to be had; “Clackamas has a history of facing budget difficulties kind of square,” he said, “We have a history get shortfall of $450,000 •of pulling together in this.” s due to statewide cuts The emergency freeze in hiring he governor as a result teachers is just one way in which lomic recession that the the school will be trying to account icing. for gaps in the budget created by the > money that we relied recent economic climate. Ito balance the current year’s Among other options that are Jet,” [Truesdell added in her being pursued are an increase in il. tuition and using fees built up peKning of the cessation among the school’s departments to iring couldn’t be at a more cover the gaps. punai time for Clackamas Truesdell openly welcomes stu to enrollment numbers that are dents to voice their opinions on how riiBasing, going from a total Photo illustration by Kayla Berge and Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print the school should cope with the pilment headcount of 25,209 budget shortfall. To be heard you le K15-2006 school year to can leave her a voicemail at 503-657-6958 ext. 2405 or e-mail 108 in the course of 2007-2008. budgetideas@clackamas.edu. a result more students will be If you would like to pose questions or share ideas with ■dingnewer classes. Truesdell she would be willing to discuss them at the next fire Recording to Truesdell, because side chat on Feb. 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge !is just a freeze in taking on new located in the Community Center. joyees and not a layoff, the The Clackamas Print will be accepting letters to the editor ity of instructors at Clackamas will not suffer as a result. Dur goal will be to review the positions in light of quality, as to what you think the school should do as well. Letters can ^Ksdell adding that this is a time to, “Re-evaluate the be e-mailed to chiefed@clackamas.edu. it positions for those currently hired.” hllKiare, dean of arts, humanities and social sciences, ¡felt the impact of the recent cuts as his department has Jo put some of the courses it previously offered, as well ihn Hurlburt Ls «¡for I Student Nate Cornell has taken classes at Clackamas five times in the last four years, and was enrolled for a sixth term at the end of December, but when the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) suspended its Oregon Opportunity Grant program on Nov. 30, Nate was left unable to pay his tuition bill. “I was all ready for the term,” said Cornell. “But then the state told me that they didn’t have any funds to help me out. Now I’m just not sure how to afford my classes and living.” The Clackamas Financial Aid Department sent letters out to students on Dec. 8, with the news that OSAC had suspended any awards for the remainder of the current school year. At press time, OSAC had not returned calls on the number of students who were affected by the program’s suspension. Clackamas’ Financial Aid Department also said that they didn’t know how many students lost out on the grant for winter and spring terms. Yet, according to the OSAC Web site, 16 percent of the grant’s funds went to Clackamas, with over 60 percent going to Oregon com munity colleges in 2006-2007. For. those who had their financial aid files completed before Nov. 26, they will still receive the grant. However, as of Nov. 23, no new Opportunity grants would be handed out by-OSAC. “Every student had their disburse ment,” said Fayne Griffiths of Student Financial Services, “if they had their completed files.” Community college students that are eligible would have received up to $1,470 from the Opportunity Grant program. The big question amongst students is what, to do without the money. The commission announced that it will be minimizing award amounts for the next two terms, with a $40 decrease in winter and an $80 decrease in the spring. OSAC hopes the extra money will be able to support some of the students who missed out. “I’m hoping that something good hap pens before spring term,” said Cornell. “I really need to be at school, and I won’t be able to afford things if this is the way it plays out.” Volleyball player Liz Johnson also lost out on her grant for this term. Liz Johnson travels more than an hour to campus. Without the grant she is feeling the pressure of the money she has not going far enough. Any leftover school funds were going to help her with medi cal bills and the cost of gas. “The only money I had left from last term was about $100,” said Liz Johnson. “I guess I’m trying to scrape by.” According to Executive Director of OSAC, Dennis Johnson, when the state’s revenue started to go down, so did the amount of money available for students. “All things are down right now,” said Dennis Johnson. “When the economy tanked- a whole lot of money went away and we had to stop all awards after the 30 (of November). Of course this happens when we most need education.” For now all that can be done is wait, with the Oregon Legislature just start ing its budget discussion. Students with questions should speak to the Financial Aid Department in Roger Rook. “I kinda feel hung out to dry,” said Liz Johnson. “But then T realize there are sorer people out there.”
