Volume 108 Issue 19

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AWA R D-W INNING CENTR A LR ECOR DER .COM Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Central Connecticut State University

Volume 108 No. 19

Fuel Cell Plant Aids CCSU Sustainability Efforts kassondRa gRanaTa The Recorder

CCSU is host to one of the largest projects in New England, separating it from the other CSU schools; a fuel cell energy center on campus. Construction of the plant, located outside of East Hall, expected to be completed at the end of December and is running smoothly. The energy center is still awaiting the installation of a heat recovery steam generator, which will be used to take the waste heat and make steam for an alternative source. “What this is going to do for us it is going to generate 1.4 megawatts of power,” said Rob Gagne, Plant Facilities Engineer, in December. “On a typical day, we’re using 4 megawatts, it is a considerable amount. Based on an annual basis, the waste heat and the water we are going to use, there are savings for the university.” Because of this new addition, the university will now be saving $100,000 a year and anticipates purchasing 1400 kilowatts less from Connecticut Light and Power. CCSU is now considered a “microgrid,” which means that the university is able to support the campus without using public utilities too much. Gagne said that CCSU would be able to sustain itself when it comes to crisis situations. “During the snow storm, we did not have this advantage just yet,” Gagne said. “Having

see Fuel Cell - page 3

The Fuel Cell Energy plant will provide over 25 percent of the power on campus.

daniel saundeRs | THe RecoRdeR

Legislature Proposes Bill To Eliminate Required Remedial Classes jusTin muszynski The Recorder

A recent bill proposed by the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee will see public institutions of higher education unable to require students to take remedial classes should the bill be passed. Many faculty members around the state are concerned about what effects this would have on students and CCSU is no different. Not many people seem to be in favor of this bill (S.B N.O. 40) besides the committee that is in charge of implementing it. The two departments that would most likely be affected by this bill are mathematical sciences and English. Stephen Cohen, Chair of the English Department, says “We cannot wish away the need for remediation,” and feels this bill, while it’s designed to help students, would do the exact opposite. “If students arrive at CCSU unprepared for college-level work, we do them a disservice by allowing them into classes in which they cannot succeed,” said Cohen. The bill attempts to address this issue by suggesting that professors can “offer remedial support in the classroom to students who demonstrate shortcomings in any entry level course in a college level program.” Jeffrey McGowan, the Chair of

Mathematical Sciences, says this would put Chair of the Biomolecular Sciences, says this is a great option for students. It awards professors in a delicate situation. “The professor is stuck with a terrible three credits for its completion, but unlike choice of either trying to help the students Math 099, those credits are counted towards who really shouldn’t be there or ignoring graduation. He contrasts this with the them to help the students who should be solution the bill offers by asking professors there,” said McGowan. “It just disrupts the to conduct remedial help during class. “The difference with that model is the whole class setting.” students belong in A public hearing was held Thursday at “If students arrive at CCSU there, there’s no 101 the Legislative Office unprepared for college-level work, students in there,” said Mulrooney. Building in Hartford concerning this we do them a disservice by allowing “Everyone in that matter. Sen. Beth Bye, them into classes in which they class was supposed to be placed in chairwoman of the 099 and they have legislature’s Higher cannot succeed” this opportunity Education Committee, said at the hearing that Stephen Cohen, Chair of CCSU’s English to kind of do two semesters in one.” students shouldn’t be Dept. Rep. Roberta prohibited from taking Willis, coan advanced course chairwoman of the Higher Education because of their test scores. “If a student wants to try, why not let Committee, said at the hearing that what’s currently in place is not working and them?” asked Bye. However, students are already given an supports the bill’s answer to improving option to prove that their SAT scores aren’t graduation rates. However, Mulrooney, who also serves a true reflection of their ability. A student coming into CCSU, if they are required to on CCSU’s Retention and Graduation take Math 099, can take a placement test to Council, says “Ultimately I think it will hurt prove they are capable of going directly to graduation rates.” He adds that a couple of years ago the academic good-standing GPA Math 101. There is also a third option in math, a level was raised to 2.0 and that allowing class offered that combines materials from students to take courses that they aren’t Math 099 and Math 101. James Mulrooney, prepared for could set them up for failure

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at the university. He says it could create a “domino” effect. Cohen agrees with Mulrooney’s assessment using his own department as an example. “An increased failure rate in ENG 110 (or any entry-level course) will increase student frustration, leading to more students dropping out in their first year, and will burden even those who do not drop out with F’s on their transcripts and lower GPAs,” said Cohen. He’s also disappointed by the lack of faculty input that the state has allowed in bills that will directly affect them. The bill doesn’t prohibit universities from offering remedial classes but won’t allow them to mandate these classes. Mulrooney questions how many students would be willing to take something that’s not required. “What student is going to take it?” asked Mulrooney. “Are you going to pay for three credits that you can’t count towards graduation?” Cohen also brings up another adverse effect that this bill could create. “Given the difficulty of in-class remediation, there would be a greater demand for out-of-class assistance from the Writing Center and in office hours,” said Cohen. “The bill makes no mention of increased funding for Writing Center staff, and the English Department has no extra room in its budget to hire that staff.”


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