4 WCC CAMPUS VOICE - MAY 22,1989 WCC serves O'Berry students Bv S. Doreen Davis On January 14.1985i the Compensatory Education Program ■funded bv the Department of Community Colleges mandated services to mentally retarded adults> according to Gloria Wrenn. Adult Basic Education coordinator. In that same year Wayne Community College started a class to serve this special population. The program at WCC stresses normalization of the students stated teacher Algie Davis* which means to treat the mentally retarded like any other individual. The students are taught in a regular classroom through a structured curriculum five days a week. Their academic studies in clude learning everyday living skills. At present there are nine students who have been selected by a staff from O'Berry to attend classes on the WCC campus. Most have been in an institu tion since early childhood* but they have independent skills in personal hygiene and domestic areas. Each quarter the students learn three objectives* and the instructor establishes the minimum requirements needed to pass. The Student Government Association has cooperated in the program by allowing these students to participate in some school activities like cookouts and Christmas parties. Human Services students can choose a co-op option to assist with this class. The O'Berry students participated in an Easter pageant at the center and invited their teacher, Algie Davis* to attend. She said* "They performed like profession als, and I was so proud of them. I only hope the Easter program will be open to the public next time around." Directed studies aids community By S. Doreen Davis The Directed Studies Lab (DSL) located in the Learning Resource Center was established to help Wayne Community College students and Wayne County residents increase their skills in all areas of study* according to Sue Potter, Directer. Using individualized study* the DSL staff assists learners with basic skills or even with preparation for graduate school. The DSL is fully staffed from 7:45 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. In addition to Director Sue Potter* the staff includes Catherine Frazier* coordinator: Saundra Smith, coordinator; and student assistants. DSL Student Assistant Laura Sullivan receives instructions from Sue Potter, Director. Photo: S. Doreen Davis teacher Algie Davis responds to questions from students in the O'Berry Class. Photo; S. Doreen Davis The DSL is an instruction center where students work independently but always have access to an instructor's help when they need it. Programs are self-paced to enable students to progress as rapidly or as slowly as they want to. Students can enroll any time. Study materials from a wide variety of subject areas are used to prepare individuals in reading improvement, vocabulary development* English grammar* general mathematics, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, the metric system, science, history,' accounting, G.E.D. preparation, and adult basic education. Also the DSL administers college placement tests for limited enrollment programs such as Nursing, English as a second language, and even conversational French. Students have access to the following resources: printed text video, cassettes, an(t^ Apple II word processors for research papers. Herring given award By Elgin Bryant Barbara Herring, an instructor in the Wayne Community College Business Department, won the Lenore Kuczynski Award which was presented on April 13, 1989. The award is given annually to a dedicated worker in the program. She has been an important part of Special Olympics for ten years by using her expertise with computers to assist with developing programs. Herring was surprised to receive the award and said she is proud to receive the award for her participation in the Special Olympics effort. All materials are furnished for the student free of charge. Students can get help with or without an instructor's referral. The DSL was initially set up as one of the Outreach programs to provide a place people could go when they wanted to learn something. Sue Potter said, "A little help at the right time can help more than can be imagined." The DSL Lab will arrange flexible schedules to accommodate the demands of family and job. Anyone eighteen years old or a high school graduate is eligible. Barbara Herring receives award for her dedication to Special Olympics. Photo: Randal C. Turley SPECIAL r-f