The
Skyline View The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, California
Volume XL- Issue 7
May 5, 2016
www.theskylineview.com
Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver
With new regulations underway, the late BOG Fee Waiver makes students nervous By Marinelle Cabillo TSV Staff Writer
Students at Skyline, Cañada and College of San Mateo recently received an email from WebSMART stating that the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW) would be delayed. The email that was sent out states that the BOGFW will not be rewarded to students until the end of June. With this delay, students will not be dropped for nonpayment of classes. Some students are a little anxious about the long wait until June to find out if they qualify, due to many fragile financial situations. Not everyone can pay for their classes independently. Skyline student Anjoe Devicais voiced his concern about the email that was sent. “I’m worried about the delay because I am highly dependent on it. I’ll be happy if I get it, if not then I’ll be prepared for the worst, at least I know,” Devicais said. “I have other back up plans, if anything I can fall back on my parents for a last resort. I try not to depend on them but if I have to, then I will to get my classes.” In January 2014, regulations surrounding the BOGFW changed. An addition was made that resulted in students becoming
ineligible for the priority registration and/or BOGFW if placed on academic and/ or progress probation for a combination of two consecutive primary (fall and spring) terms. The terms considered for this program are consecutive on the basis of the student’s enrollment. So as long as the break in the student’s enrollment does not exceed one primary term, going back up to four terms. The loss of eligibility will be in effect at the first registration opportunity after such determination is made. This makes a lot of students who are on academic probation responsible to pay for all the enrollment and class fees on their own. Skyline student Jonathan Battaglia, however, doesn’t think this new change is unfair. In the past he would apply and be rewarded the BOGFW, but now he pays for his classes out of pocket because he works 50 hours a week. “As a student, if many of us are working 40-50 hours a week to pay for an education, if we’re not getting the waiver after we fail consecutive courses then I almost feel like that’s fair,” Battaglia said. “If you’re continuing to pay or get assistance and you keep on failing either you’re not taking
Photo illustration by Dave Newlands/The Skyline View
it serious enough or you need to change your lifestyle or your study habits.” Cherie Colin, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations for Skyline College, mentioned previously that Skyline has been notifying students since the spring of 2015, to give them time to improve on their Academic Standards standing. Students who lose the BOGFW would have to pay the expenses. Skyline student Christopher Sagredos feels it is a little unfair, that students will sign up for classes not knowing if they are going to receive the BOGFW, but he understands why it will take a while. “Honestly it’s both fair and a little unfair. I think it’s fair because two semesters of failing is more than enough to justify having your rights revoked for the waiver,” Sagredos said. “It’s a little unfair that they’re doing it so late, but if it was any other semester they would have to do it late because they can’t just implement it right away, these things take time. I don’t think it’s fair but I also don’t think they’re doing it intentionally, I’m sure if they could do it faster they would.”
New BOG Waiver Regulations Year 2014
20152016
Changes •
Loss of BOGFW eligibility shall not occur prior to the fall 2016 term
•
Excludes foster youth (up to age 24) for an extension – expires on January 1, 2017
SMCCCD is establishing an appeal process for students that can demonstrate the following extenuating circumstances: •
Verified cases of accidents, illnesses
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Documented changes in student’s economic situation
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Evidence the student was unable to obtain essential support services
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Factors associated with Veterans, CalWORKs, EOPS, and DSPS status
•
The SMCCCD began notifying students following the spring 2015 semester of newer changes with stricter regualtions.
•
Student with a disability applied for, but did not receive reasonable accommodation in a timely manner.
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Significant academic improvement in term (2.0 GPA/50% Completion). A student who successfully appeals the loss of enrollment priority shall also have BOGFW eligibility restored in a one appeal process
•
Information on the BOG Waiver changes were provided by Cherie Colin Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations. Left: Terms of Agreement for the BOG Fee Waiver form.