2008 Woodie Awards
Paying more, getting less
Colleen Sullivan
Issue date: 4/2/03 Section: College News
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In the wake of state budget proposals, complicated graphs, political jargon and unabashed self-interest, students are floundering against an ominous tide of lost opportunities. Yuba College students in particular have been feeling the effects of a general disregard for higher education.
Over the past three years Yuba College has substantially decreased its number of class offerings, ironically to a growing student population. In Spring 2001, Yuba College offered 1,077 sections of classes at the Marysville campus to 1,964 full-time equivalent students.
During Spring 2002, Yuba College offered only 948 classes at the Marysville campus to approximately 2,111 full-time equivalent students, a 12 percent decrease in classes, despite a 7.5 percent increase in full-time equivalent students on the Marysville campus.
This spring semester, Yuba College at Marysville has offered 827 sections of classes, another 12.7 percent decrease from Spring 2002. The number of full-time equivalent students attending the Marysville campus this semester will not be available until summer.
Since Spring 2001, Yuba College has offered 250 fewer sections of classes, approximately a 25 percent decrease over the last three years.
Meanwhile, the college is seeing a growing student population. This fact compounded with nine full-time faculty retirements this semester, approximately a 7 percent reduction which may not be re-filled with new faculty by fall, leaves students even fewer options.
"I think the students as a whole will find fewer selections (of classes) than in the past," remarked Dr. Nicki Harrington, President and Superintendent of Yuba College, in an interview with The Prospector.
Although Harrington promised an attempt to keep a solid educational program in both transfer and vocational education, fewer sections of classes will mean greater difficulties for students returning next semester.
"I do anticipate having trouble (getting into classes) next semester," said Keri Burgess, an English major. "This semester they cut my creative writing class before the semester even started. I don't see this problem going away for a long time."
Over the past three years Yuba College has substantially decreased its number of class offerings, ironically to a growing student population. In Spring 2001, Yuba College offered 1,077 sections of classes at the Marysville campus to 1,964 full-time equivalent students.
During Spring 2002, Yuba College offered only 948 classes at the Marysville campus to approximately 2,111 full-time equivalent students, a 12 percent decrease in classes, despite a 7.5 percent increase in full-time equivalent students on the Marysville campus.
This spring semester, Yuba College at Marysville has offered 827 sections of classes, another 12.7 percent decrease from Spring 2002. The number of full-time equivalent students attending the Marysville campus this semester will not be available until summer.
Since Spring 2001, Yuba College has offered 250 fewer sections of classes, approximately a 25 percent decrease over the last three years.
Meanwhile, the college is seeing a growing student population. This fact compounded with nine full-time faculty retirements this semester, approximately a 7 percent reduction which may not be re-filled with new faculty by fall, leaves students even fewer options.
"I think the students as a whole will find fewer selections (of classes) than in the past," remarked Dr. Nicki Harrington, President and Superintendent of Yuba College, in an interview with The Prospector.
Although Harrington promised an attempt to keep a solid educational program in both transfer and vocational education, fewer sections of classes will mean greater difficulties for students returning next semester.
"I do anticipate having trouble (getting into classes) next semester," said Keri Burgess, an English major. "This semester they cut my creative writing class before the semester even started. I don't see this problem going away for a long time."
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