The Guilfordian
April 10, 2015 | 3
NEWS
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CCE
Adult students rally together
There^ are all Msiof options on the table.
Regardless of what might happen, we would not
abandon the GCE students.
' .; Jane Fernandes, Guilford College president
Continued from page 1
Saturday in Fall 2014, and enrollment was below
10 for two of the three,” said Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Academic Dean Adrienne
Israel in an email interview. “Student demand for
classes as well as student need for courses that satisfy
a major determine, for the most part, whether or
not they are offered. Student demand and need
indicate that Saturday classes should be suspended
for the time being, not necessarily forever,”
Summer classes have been cut for similar reasons.
“Summer school courses are offered based on
student demand/need,” said Israel. “Summer
school enrollment has dropped in proportion to
the decline in CCE enrollment. That is the reason
why fewer classes might be scheduled for Summer
2015 than for Summer 2014. Another reason might
sbe the availabihty of faculty to teach summer
courses.”
Some CCE students are concerned with the 2
percent tuition raise for all students.
“At a time when Guilford is looking for ways
to cut its expenses ... to have raised tuition at a
2 percent level when the national average is 3.6
percent is a positive message of how the college
has prioritized access, the cost of college and the
student experience,” said Vice President for Student
Affairs and Dean of Students Todd Clark.
Guilford is also merging the admissions office
for CCE student and traditional students under
one vice president for enrollment. The Registrar’s
office will be handhng all transcript evaluations for
traditional and CCE students. t
“We’re trying to reduce duphcation that we see
now by having twoseparate admissions offices^’
said Guilford President Jane Fernandes. “It doesn’t
mean that there aren’t specialists in adult education
... it’s only an attempt to strengthen the CCE
program.”
Some students are concerned about the possibihty
of moving the Office of Communications and
Advancement to Hendricks Hall and moving the
CCE student lounge out, despite CCE students
paying $33,000 in renovations through student fees.
“There is nowhere else that CCE students
can feel welcomed besides Hendricks Hall,” said
CCE student president and senior Monica Jones.
“Hendricks has always been a one-stop shop ,for
CCE students.
“You can come in here after five o’clock to talk
to a financial aid advisor. Your student government
is here. Your advisers are here ... everything you
need is here. But now that you get rid of all the
supporting staff, where are CCE students supposed
to feel connected?”
This move, however, may help ease the college’s
deficit.
“If we cut the lease (with the company that
owns the office space), we will probably save three
staff positions,” said Fernandes. “(We’re looking)
at what’s possible. It’s possible that the Office of
Advancement and Communications will move into
Hendricks. They were in there before. Maybe they
could move to New Garden ... There are all kinds
of options on the table. Regardless of what liiight
happen, we would not abandon the CCE students.”
CCE students have fought against these potential
changes to the CCE program by-stlrting »petitiGiii-»
“The Student Government Association is
collecting signatures in hopes (of dissuading)
administration from what we feel is a dismantling of
the Center for Continuing Education,” said a flyer
from the CCE Student Government Association.
“We also feel that some of the proposed initiatives
to help eliminate the College’s debt may not be in
the interests of the students, traditional or CCE.”
Some CCE students are also upset because of
the lack of communication between Guilford and
its students over the budget cuts.
“If Guilford would at least have a meeting with
us, hsten to our concerns and tell us what’s going
on, it would ease the panic,” said CCE ^ junior
Jessica Hilliard. %
Though decisions have not officially been made,
Guilford’s budget cuts will "^af^ct its students
and faculty. ''X^en making these cuts, Guilford /
administrators say that they will be looking out for /
its students.
“In the decision-making process for budget
cuts, the goal is to have the least possible negative
impact on students,” said Center for Continuing
Education Assistant Dean Martee Holt. “Students
are our first priority. Right now the College is
facing a budget crisis that will require some tough
decisions and changes in the way the College
operates. We can operate differently and still
provide a great student experience
V'
on with the Oolle^ of Continuing Education?
I uni^t not be able to ^t all
the classes I need to graduate before
I run out of unonei^ UI there be
sorneone I con tak to about that?
Although late, Reich’s
presentation inspires
^ .ForrnhV;^cretqry '6fTabor Robert Reich spoke at the Coliseum on Tuesday* ^
• Hr*, -
BY AUBREY KING
Staff Writer
A man whose small stature only hides his fiery determination, Robert
Reich, captured audiences last Tuesday.
Originally scheduled for Feb. 17, Robert Reich, who is Chancellor’s
Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley,
former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration and director of
the documentary “Inequality for All,” gave a presentation on April 7 as
part of the Bryan Series.
Titled “Bipartisan Solutions for America’s Economic Future,” Reich’s
talk highlighted his skill set as an orator, the same skill set that made him
a perfect fit for the Bryan Series.
“We do a lot of research on speakers before we invite them to the Bryan
Series,” said Associate Vice-President of Communications and Marketing
Ty Buckner. “Rob'fert Reich has been on our ‘radar’ for a while. "As a
distinguished professor and former labor secretary and as a very popular
and skillful presenter, (Reich) was a person we believed would be great for
. the series.”
Like the event’s organizers, the Guilford and Greensboro communities
buzzed with excitement as the event drew closer.
“We’re very excited because he’s just such a dynamic speaker,” said event
attendee Joan Smith.
Even before the big night, Reich connected with the Guilford College
community in a question-and-answer session. Held in Bryan Jr. Auditorium,
the session allowed Guilford students and faculty exclusive access to Reich.
“I thought (the Q^& A) was amazingly engaging,” said sophomore Seth
Rose.
“It was extremely stimulating on a mental level in terms of tangible ways
of attacking the complex theories we discuss in the classroom.”
The hour-long session saw Reich answering the questions of students and
staff in a relaxed yet practical manner.
“He was wonderful with interacting on an intimate level and making
sure everyone had a chance to ask a question,” said Instructor of English
Caroline McAlister.
“Sometimes I worry that students don’t get enough access at Guilford to
the Bryan Speakers, but I thought this was a very nice opportunity for any
students that took advantage of it.”
A few hours after the session, Reich gave his larger presentation in the
Greensboro Coliseum.
Reich’s larger talk drew in Guilford students as well as a massive crowd
from the Guilford County area.
“I’m part of the AP Academy at Western Guilford High School,” said
event attendee Symone Smith. “When I heard we had this opportunity, I
was very excited to take advantage of it.”
During the talk, Reich expounded on the value of investment in
education and the importance of bipartisanship while humorously working
in references to buying cars, hip replacements and even meeting Hilary
Clinton in high school.
“Talent and responsibility,” said Reich to the crowd. “That’s what will
revive education in this country.”
After concluding with another brief, albeit less personal, Q&A session,
Reich excused himself, leaving behind a satisfied and entertained crowd.
“I found the talk very inspiring,” said Early College senior Morgan
Klenke. “He was very down to earth and his story about Hilary Clinton
was fantastic.”
The Bryan series has always brought interesting speakers into an
environment where their presentations enrich the Guilford College and
Greensboro communities, and Robert Reich’s humorous yet practical talk
stands well among them.
The next Bryan series event will host international reporter Anderson
Cooper sharing his experience as journalist on April 19.
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