The Torch — Edition 17 // Volume 49

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aLySSa SUTToN / THE TORCH

LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S

I N d e p e N d e N T, S T U d e N T- r U N N e w S p a p e r

3 .6 .14

V O L . 5 0 , N O. 1 7

MOTION MONTAGE “Translation,” performed by stephanie Bellissimo, Carolina Cabarello and anna Miller, was choreographed by Margo Van ummersen in collaboration with the dancers. SEE REVIEW ON PAGE 7

Lane updates standards for next academic year Courses, workshops offered to students getting off track Cameron Hughey Reporter With new minimum academic standards rolling out this year, administrators want to spread the word about workshops and other resources that could help students stay on track to graduate. As of Summer 2013, credit student must pass 67 percent of credits they enroll in each term as well as achieve at least a 2.0 GPA. These standards were made to increase efficiency. They aim to save students time and money lost when a class is dropped or not passed. “One thing that is known is that over 70 percent of students who don’t get their degrees end up defaulting on student loans,” TRiO Director Mary Parthemer said. “It then becomes difficult to get out of default or even to get a job because employers look at credit rating.” Students are assessed after grades are posted each term. If standards are not met, Lane will intervene with what they call alerts. The first alert is an online Keys to Success course,

which provides students with information about Lane’s departments and resources. It promotes the development of a personal success plan, as well as strategies to follow through with that plan. “Excellent students use tutors and study groups and take advantage of resources,” Parthemer said. The second alert is an in-person Keys to Success workshop, which is meant to do the same thing with the added value of interaction with peer mentors. The third alert requires a one-credit College Success: Back on Course class. The fourth is dismissal for at least a term and requires a petition to reenroll, along with a plan for success. “We have been working on this for a number of years for when students get off track even a little bit … The intention is not to punish students,” Parthemer said. “This is short-term because we don’t want students to lose financial aid.” The delivery of the information about what students can use to succeed is a key aspect of the system and has been a primary focus of

people involved. “We have been working on format and structure over the course of the last two terms and have overhauled the whole thing,” ASLCC Communications Director Robert Schumacher said. Schumacher is a peer mentor in the workshop. There are usually two to three in person student success workshops per week and are usually 110 minutes long. “I have been through it and see why it is a good idea, and why they are doing it, but I am still half for it and half against it,” Lane student Brittany Glenzor said. “It’s a pain in the ass because they don’t open stuff so people can actually go through it.” It will take at least two years to start seeing noticable results because after that time, the majority of students attending will have learned under this new standard. “The most beneficial thing about this is that it allows students to step back and really examine the problems they have, and identifying solutions to those problems. They end up recognizing the skills necessary to succeed,” Schumacher said.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

FACTS AND FIGURES

70%

percentage of students who fail to graduate that also default on their student loans. Lane is hoping to increase graduation rates by evaluating student progress more often.

FINANCIAL AID Standards are being changed to reflect GPA and class completion requirements for financial aid. However, the school is measuring student success every term, rather than every year, to advise students and recognize issues sooner.

REQUIREMENTS

67% CLASS COMPLETION

2.0 GPA

aLerTS

Students will receive alerts from Lane when they fail to meet requirements. each alert will require participation in a course or workshop. The fourth alert will lead to dismissal from Lane for a term and require students to petition to re-enroll.

Part-time faculty braces for fall layoffs Tran Nguyen Reporter With an estimated 800 course sections to be cut next school year, part-time instructors are facing a reduction in their workload, and the college is considering layoffs. Lane Vice President of College Services Brian Kelly said the college is planning to cancel approximately 10 percent of course sections in Fall 2014, to coincide with a projected 10 percent decease in enrollment.At this point, Lane is facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall in 2015. However, this number could reach up to $11 million if enrollment keeps dropping next year. “There is no definite number yet on how many people lost their jobs this year,” Lane Chief Human Resources Officer and administrative negotiator Dennis Carr said. “Some people here, some people there — not to mention some voluntary leave because they do not have enough classes.” “It is hard to have an exact number on the layoffs because maybe some instructors can teach three sections, but they only got one section cut,” added Kelly. “Their workload is definitely reduced, but they are still teaching at Lane.” Lane Community College Education Association, the faculty union, believes that Lane still has money left from the last year’s budget, LCCEA Vice President Polina Kroik said. “Don’t believe in the numbers,” LCCEA President Jim Salt said. “I do have questions about some of them.” Instructors are awaiting more news. “We have been notified that some classes and programs may be cut next term,” temporary full-time Medical Terminology instructor Kelly Collins said, “but we do not know which ones will be.” At the March 4 financial and budget committee meeting, Lane and LCCEA were unable to agree on what course sections would be cut, Salt said, but they are making progress. According to Lane faculty contracts, the college must notify instructors of their job status for Fall 2014 by May 1. Reductions in classes will leave students with fewer choices, Kroik said. “It will be hard for students,” Kroik said. “For example, (students) who work in the morning and go to school at night — they may be not able to take the classes they need.” Cuts could prolong some students’ time at Lane. “This change may take (students) three years instead of two years to go to University of Oregon,” Lane part-time history instructor said Paul Wanke said. With 13 years at Lane, Wanke has seniority. He also teaches at Oregon State University. LAYOFFS ON PAGE 2


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