Schedule sees more classes provided

Due to increased educational funding brought on by Proposition 30, new classes have been added to the spring schedule for the first time in five years.

The college will continue adding late-start classes throughout this semester, some of which started last week.

Intersession classes will also be available in late May through early June.

These intersession classes will condense the 54 hours of required lecture in about 11 days.

A few examples of late-start classes include Film Appreciation and an online Interpersonal Communication class presented by the Liberal Arts Division.

“We’re continuing to add late-start classes,” said interim Vice President Donna Floyd. “Some divisions are adding more classes than others, but all (divisions) are represented.”  
More speech classes will be available during the intersession, as well as two Experimental Analysis Biology classes.

The Career Technical Education has even added a Forklift Logistics Operations & Warehouse Training Program.

Late-start classes have been added due to this semester’s low enrollment rates.

“When we add these classes, we’re not just looking into putting these in the book, we need the enrollment,” said Floyd. “Yes, the classes will help. Will it help enough? We’re still looking at that.”

An enrollment report from the Office of District Research on Jan. 7 showed a 23.2 percent drop this semester in comparison to the spring of 2012 she said.

However, on Jan. 28, a new enrollment report showed a rise in enrollment at a 15.2 percent drop, which in part may be due to students enrolling in the new classes.

Floyd said the college is currently planning its summer and fall schedules.

The ultimate goal of the college is to reach its full time equivalent student goal of 5,812 for the summer, fall, and spring semesters. As late-start classes are added, the numbers will rise.

The addition of classes will outnumber the cancellation of classes compared to previous years and they are developing a larger schedule, Floyd said.

The first goal in adding classes is identifying student needs and improving access. They consider which classes students need to complete their programs and transfer.

However, classes which have common overflows such as those with a required lab are harder to accommodate due to space.

“We all meet and speak with the counselors,” Liberal Arts Division Dean Helen Kalkstein. “They let us know what is in demand. We’re careful about what we offer.”

Department chairpersons are also involved in the process. She mentioned that before any late-start classes are offered, they must be sure an instructor is available and is qualified to teach the class.

“We are coming out of five years of cuts, so this is a transition period and students should keep an eye out for what we have to offer,” Kalkstein said.

Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Division Dean Terence Elliott said the school seems to be returning to normal.

“Proposition 30 has not given the college extra funding. It has, however, brought us back to a level playing field,” he said.

Floyd suspects enrollment has dropped due to the early start of this semester, some students going back to work, or electing to attend other colleges such as Diablo Valley College.

One example is Mia Montemayor, a digital art media major who has decided to take only one class at CCC this semester, Art History.

The rest, she will be taking at DVC. This, she says, is due to the lack of classes at CCC in her major.

“Unlike DVC, CCC isn’t up to date with a number of things, like (computer) programs used in certain professions,” she said.