LATE BREAKING NEWS: Read about Angelspit’s performance in Oakland on Pg. 7
Turn to features and read about the midnight show that enticed the audience Pg. 5
An alleged sexual assault occured on the first floor of Building One on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at approximately 8:30 p.m. The Skyline community was made aware of the incident via the SMCCD e-mail on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Skyline View
Volume XXX - Issue 5
www.theskylineview.com
October 27, 2011
State losing funds Community colleges hemorrhaging money due to dropouts by Joe Barrack According to a recent study, millions in state and federal funds are spent every year on community college students who drop out during their first year. Over the last five years, almost $4 billion in federal, state, and local taxpayer funds went to community college freshmen who dropped out during or after their first year as discovered by the American Insti-
WILLIAM NACOUZI/THE SKYLINE VIEW
This image shows how money is being wasted when students drop out.
tutes for Research in a new study. The report entitled “The Hidden Costs of Community Colleges” nails California as the state with the highest amount of state and local expenditures, about $130 million, going to first-year community college dropouts. “Far too many students who enter into community colleges leave their school without a degree or certificate,” says Mark Schneider, Vice president of AIR and co-author of the report. “In fact six years after enrolling, just about half of full-time community college students are no longer enrolled in any college or university and have not earned a certificate or degree.” The report and its authors are in no way advocating that federal, state, and local government divest in community college, and actually hail the system as “an essential component of America’s higher education”. The importance of the community college system is reflected in its enrollment numbers, which the AIR’s research estimates have increased by 25 percent over the past decade. But the authors of the report believe that for the amount of money that is going into the system, the failure rates of students are far too high. “In 2009 more than 800,000 of these students stood at the starting gate,” the report says. “But far too
many will fail to cross the finish line and far too few will even finish the first lap.” The report does not place the blame squarely on the shoulders of students, but instead cites problems in the community college system, such as the inability to educate students who are not college ready, not knowing what works for particular students in remedial education, as well as the “lack of support services that community colleges offer”. Taking issue with the focus of the AIR report is Christian Etienne, who as a Skyline College student senator, is an example of the success of the existing community college system. “I do not entirely agree with this report, because their focus is only on the amount spent on the Community College students who drop out and not the success rate of the students,” Etienne said. “They do not talk about the percentage of students that are graduating with a degree or earning a certificate.” Despite the large amount of California State funds spent of firstyear dropouts, the retention rates at Skyline College are encouraging. According to the US Department of Education, 73 percent of students returned to Skyline after their first year, almost identical to private fouryear universities. Skyline College seems to be the exception to the rule, with the ACT
Retention Report calculating the national average for community college retention at a more modest 56 percent. The AIR report has no shortage of ideas on how to help increase retention rates and graduation in community colleges. For example, the report suggests shortening the time it takes to reach graduation, “by allowing students to earn credits for proven competencies rather than through seat time.” This way student will not waste time in classes they don’t need. Perhaps a more controversial recommendation is the creation of an incentive program to improve retention and graduation rates. The study suggests that the states consider “performance budgeting—rewarding colleges with more money if they improve the success of their students.” ASSC Senator Etienne is not completely adverse to some of the changes proposed by the AIR report. “I believe that in any institution or organization, there is always room for improvement,” Etienne said. “I think a lot of the propositions made by the AIR are very good and they could provide great results if they are well executed. However, that will not necessarily reduce the (monetary) cost of supporting community college students.”
Skyline holds transfer fair Colleges visit Skyline by Rich Estrada
On Monday, Oct 24, Skyline College welcomed representatives from several four-year universities for its annual Transfer Day, creating an air of excitement for all students who were able to stop by. Colleges from all over attended the event to provide information for the next crop of prospective Skyline transfer students and help answer those looming questions the transfer process raises. Over 25 universities made an appearance in the cafeteria with the resources for students regarding their school’s admission criteria. Skyline’s Transfer Center has been putting the event together for several years to help students get one-on-one time with university representatives as well as introducing students to other schools that may offer additional/optional opportunities. Students at the event crowded the cafeteria taking notes at every table. Notepads, pens, and handouts were made available to students by many schools in attendance. “It’s a great idea,” said Sky-
line student Edwin Morales about attending the event. “I’m at that point where I’m looking at my options more closely. Being able to get face time and hear about what they can offer keeps me motivated to do well.” Students the setting as they were seen collecting information from several schools. Transfer Day is traditionally held in the fall of every year around midterms and is geared toward students still undecided about which school is best for them. SFSU’s Student Outreach Representative, Doris Fendt shared what information she felt was pertinent to prospective transfer students. “My best piece of advice for students transferring anywhere is to know the facts,” said Fendt. “Community Colleges put together events like this to provide those facts. Every university is different when making the decision to accept an applicant and this (event) allows prospective students to ask specifically what is expected from them before applying.”
RICH ESTRADA/THE SKYLINE VIEW
Students were able to ask questions to collegiate transfer representatives
Fendt went on to say that although the CSU schools may have general requirements, transferring requires more research, and regular counseling appointments are the best idea. Dina Valdelomar, who graduated from Skyline and later went on to work at the Transfer Center, also shared her thoughts on the yearly event. “It definitely helped me out when
I attended,” said Valdelomar “It gives a chance for students to ask personal questions as well as get some alternative information they (universities) have on hand.” She also added, “More and more students are transferring and it’s beneficial to be able to clear some of those unanswered questions directly from the source.” Skyline Counselor, Eric Larson shared that sentiment and even went
as far as obtaining some information for himself. “They had information available that even counselors may not have,” said Larson. “I picked up some handouts myself to stay updated on what these schools were doing.” The Transfer Center will also be organizing a Transfer Fair in the spring which will be geared more towards students considering private colleges.