MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER WWW.MVCCGLACIER.COM OCTOBER 4, 2013 VOLUME 47, ISSUE 4
Remedial classes; an effective remedy? By David Stroth Staff Writer
Statistically, 28 to 40 percent of all first time undergraduates will find themselves in a remedial class. That rate has been found to be nearly 60 percent for students entering community colleges. Of those that do need one or more remedial classes, more than half of the students never complete the classes, and less than 25 percent earn a degree or certificate within 8 years. Why is this, and what is Moraine Valley Community College doing about it? First, the average remedial student tends to be older. Being several years removed from their high school classes, their scores suffer. Faced with taking a number of classes that they are not getting credit for, and being away from income they are accustomed to earn-
ing, many students give up before completing the remedial courses and continuing work. Poverty can play a dual role in the college completion crunch. First, students coming out of poorer neighborhoods do not get the same quality education as their more well to do peers. Secondly, money comes into play, as each remedial course is three or more credit hours of tuition, plus books. This can add thousands of dollars to the overall cost of a degree. One additional problem facing all remedial students is time. Students come to school expecting to get an associates degree in two years and then enroll in a four-year college the next fall. Depending on how many remedial classes students have to take, this may be hard to accomplish. In addition to the required remedial classes, all associate degrees and most certificates
require a college level math and communications course. A problem is that students cannot take those classes until they pass necessary math courses. This causes students to take more semesters of classes and can put off graduation and educational goals. Moraine Valley is working with all of the district high schools and their counselors to better prepare students for college, without the need for remedial classes. High schools still encourage their students to study for and take the ACT test, as a score of 20 or above will propel the student into college credit courses right away. Given a poor result from the ACT test, students are now able to take practice Compass exams, and in some cases, take extra courses in the areas of need while still in high school. Kipp Cozad, Coordinator of REMEDIAL | page 6
[Graphic by Kristopher Torres]
Future for steelworkers Board of Trustees Annual budget hearing held By David Alexander Staff Writer
Neil Barker speaking with prospective “Steelworker for the Future” student. [Kristin Schraer] By Ciara Barnett Copy Editor
Joining forces with Moraine Valley Community College, ArcelorMittal now offers a “Steelworker for the Fu- program for electrical and meture” is a new program offered chanical students. at Moraine Valley, with immeArcelorMittal is the largdiate job opportunities during est steel company in the school and upon graduation. world, with multiple facilities
throughout the United States and presence in over 60 countries. Over the next few years, thousands of steel workers will retire, and ArcelorMittal is looking for new employees. Integrated Systems TechSTEELWORKERS | page 2
Moraine Valley Community College students who live out of district but work for a tax paying business located in district are eligible to pay the same rates as in-district students. Bob Sterkowitz, Chief Financial Officer clarified this during his state of the finances presentation at the college’s public hearing on the budget a monthly September Board of Trustees meeting held Tu day, September 17, 2013. The CFO explained that the reasoning behind why out-ofdistrict students employed by in district businesses can pay the same rates as in-district students is because in district businesses pay taxes that help to support MVCC. These
businesses receive in-district student rates for employees, unconcerned with any given employees’ residential zip code. The CFO told the board that Moraine Valley gives out annual waivers of approximately eight million dollars to meriting students such as ex-service men and incoming high school students involved in honors programs. The Board of Trustees approved a resolution allowing the CFO, Bob Sterkowitz, to serve as a Trustee on the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus Board. In his report, Trustee John Coleman explained that the Moraine Valley Foundation will be creating an Alumni Hall of Fame. Coleman revealed that a full MEETING | page 6
IN THIS ISSUE ENTERTAINMENT FPAC hosts MOMIX: Botanica performance SOCIAL PAGE 1
SPORTS Cyclone Volleyball improves their record to 17-5 . PAGE 12
FEATURES Zombies invade the Moraine Valley Fall Fest SOCIAL PAGE 6