News 3 GRCC signs diploma agreement

April 11, 2012

By Justin Dawes
Opinion Editor
An agreement between GRCC and Wyoming Public Schools will allow high school students to obtain a diploma and an Associates degree simultaneously. Daniel Clark, Dean of the Lakeshore Campus and Academic Outreach, who has been GRCCs representative through this whole process, called the program a middle college. Middle college means that a student in high school has the option to complete their high s c h o o l programs and take Daniel Clark c o l l e g e courses that will lead to a certificate or degree, Clark said Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reeder, who has worked with Carter in creating the program, explained that middle college will allow students to obtain the degree by beginning college courses in their sophomore years and extending their high school careers to five years. However, there is some controversy as to whether the program is a good idea. Professor Jerry Casari is one who expressed his concern about the academic validity of the program. Though Casari supports the institution of GRCC and its intentions, he fears that students only goal is to hang a degree next to their names. The program pushes students to mature beyond their years, Casari said. Another professor voicing concerns is Dennis Sutton, who is worried that the goal is a piece of paper, not an education. In response to this idea, Clark explained that programs like this have been around since the 1980s. Weve just never been engaged in them, he said. According to Clark, students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the program: A GPA of 2.5 Number of credits are at grade level Exemplary attendance Achieve the Accuplacer test score necessary to begin GRCCs general education courses Reeder added that students would also need to have reading and math skills at grade level. If a student scores lower than the cut rates, they will not be eligible for the program, Clark said. He says that the purpose of the program is to find students who are prepared to handle this kind of coursework. Were looking for students who are mature and academically prepared, Clark said. And I would argue that there are a lot of high school students who meet those criteria. He believes that for the students eligible, the program could be very beneficial. I believe the middle college program really engages both the secondary school system and the community college in a way that reforms the way education is done, Clark said. Dr. Reeder also believes the program could be helpful to certain students. Students could be first generation college students, and this will help ease them into it, Reeder said. These college courses will be available to the high school students at no cost. The expense will be paid through the state foundation allowance, Reeder said. This is the money given annually to the school by the state for funding. Im happy that students

will be able to have their college tuition paid for, Clark said. Its a cost that parents and students dont have to pay for. Superintendant Reeder does say that students will start the sophomore year with two college classes, and as the high school career goes on, the number of classes and their rigor will grow. But Casari question as to whether the Associates degree will be valid. He fears that the degree complete in high school will be watered down, and there is a failure to recognize the natural evolution of students ability to perform at a collegiate level. But Reeder believes that if they ease the students into the college courses, it could be a success. Well start small with the idea that this will be a great opportunity for students, and if we get it right, it could be an opportunity for other schools as well, Reeder said.

The rise and fall of gasoline prices affects students

By Elizabeth Vensas
News Editor
Residents of Grand Rapids have gotten a break in gas prices this week, with the price per gallon dipping back under $4.00. According to the fuelgaugereport.aaa.com, the Michigan average is about five cents less than the national average and has gone down 13 cents in one week. Although nerve-wracking, the ups and downs in the price of gasoline are to be expected. According to Lisa Gloege, Assistant Professor Social Sciences Department at GRCC, the fluctuation in price is normal. We can expect that from gasoline, Gloege said. The big concern is when the price stays consistently high. Gloege explained that the price we pay has to do with many small factors and the free market, including an increase in demand from china and tension in the Middle East. Supply and demand are what drives the price of gasoline, Gloege said. Not any political party. Shamari Edwards feels the effects of fluctuating prices. She has worked at BP in East Town for over a year and realized one thing about her customers. They are always going to complain, Edwards said. That part is consistent. Edwards best advice to customers is to make sure you read the price on the pump carefully, and to try and keep your gas at half a tank. Even with the price lowered some GRCC students are still struggling to get by. If I want to go home to see my family, I really have to think about saving for gas money, said Shawn Orth, a Junior at GRCC. It was hard over the Easter weekend. They live way over in Sturgis, Michigan. Ayman Cobran, a transfer student from Egypt at GRCC, said that he is stuck now only going to school and his part time job. He just doesnt have the extra cash to do the stuff he would normally do. Gloege believes that an increase in the cost of gas will mean that people will look for other ways to get around. When gas prices go up we look for alternatives, she said. Which can be a great investment in technology.
Lizz Vensas/ The Collegiate

Lizz Vensas/ The Collegiate

Students race to the pumps to fill up while the gas is on the cheaper end of the spectrum.

Campus Events
April 11 - April 26
Sundaes At The Movies

April

Final Exam Prep Workshop

April

Drop into room 336 in the student center to get advice for winter finals. Attendees will learn how to create a successful study plan and receive tips for taking tests. The workshop is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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Join the educational department for an ice cream social and watch an educational documentary. The viewing will be held in room 127 in the Calkins Science Center from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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April

Take a break before finals to relax. Come for the free food, entertainment, and more. Sponsored by campus activities and located in the Ford Fieldhouse from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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GRCC Finals Relaxer

April

Career Direction Workshop

Career development services is sponsoring this intense workshop on how to establish a life direction and identify a suitable career. To register call (616)-234-3890. Held on Devos Campus in Sneden Hall from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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April

Be in Room 336 of the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to tell your story. Participants will be able to record on video how they overcame experiences with bullying and all videos will be sent into the It Gets Better Project. Register at the door.

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It Gets Better At GRCC Bullying Awareness Event

April

Get Out The Vote

Join GRCC president Steve Ender and State Representative Brandon Dillon at the Meanwhile Bar in East town. Enjoy free pizza and get involved in the GRCC Yes campaign. Event begins at 5 p.m. Help raise awareness for the Millage vote on May 8

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