Remedial courses find new form

English Department supports student success, combines 28 and 101

ARIELLE ZOLEZZI Reporter @ArielleZolezzi

CSU Chancellor Timothy White issued an executive order in August to eliminate the school's placement exams and remedial courses for incoming freshman whose math and English skills may not meet college standards.

The order is expected to increase the rate of graduation from fouryear universities and increase the affordability of college, White said. But there is controversy if this will actually help students or leave them unprepared.

“The idea that students have to take courses that don’t count toward their degree, costs them money and costs them time. It really invites first-generation students to question whether or not they really belong in college,” said James Minor, a CSU senior strategist for academic success.

Pierce will not be getting rid of the remedial English classes, but will instead have students pass English 28 and English 101 in one semester.

Starting this spring, two English instructors, Mike Urquidez and Dustin Lehren, will be teaching the courses.

The course will start off as English 28 from Feb. 5 to April 1, then it will switch to English 101 for the remainder of the semester, which is April 2 to June 4 from 9:35 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

It will be twice as much work, but if students are willing to rise to the challenge they deserve the chance to knock out the units in a timely manner, Urquidez said.

“Pierce students come from many different backgrounds and many different challenges. One way to help overcome those challenges is by being more conscious of your time, because the longer you're here, the less likely you are to get out,” Lehren said.

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