Show Horizon needs to see enrollment issue more more- cle clear r. r Dear Editor I read with interest int rest your article on the Freshmen getting the Red Carpet Treatment Sept 24 You obviously have an emotional interest in wanting preference for continuing students You stated that also we remember that the college is a year two-year community school generally for those interested in transferring to a year four-year college We are not a junior col col- col- col lege Salt Lake Community College has a rich heritage in vocational technical education Over the past several years we have expanded our role to encompass serving the community college which has five basic functions 1 Transfer as you noted 2 Preparing technicians to provide employers skilled human resources 3 Preparation of adults who are lacking the skills to succeed in level college-level programs 4 education to enrich individuals individual's personal interests and S 5 Community economic development activities s such as industry industry industry in in- contract training to strengthen the skills of their employee base to better succeed as a business in their competitive competitive competitive com com- industry Like many institutions Salt Lake Community College needs additional resources to serve its customers our students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents as you pointed in your article Through the use of group orientations we have been able to stretch our resources to be more productive in achieving that mission One begins to wonder as they read your article how many students choose not to seek advice in selecting the beginning courses before taking advanced courses One major advantage that continuing students have is to be able to plan and develop a schedule of courses by quarter to select those classes that traditionally have heavy enrollment and long waiting lists for Fall quarter when they may be less likely to have that same enrollment pressure Winter Spring or even Summer quarters The recommendation to give priority to continuing students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents would require significant registration schedule changes You suggested taking a poll of continuing continuing- students before we use that as a feeble ex excuse se I would hope you would be objective enough t to include the long lead time tim and nd the additional additional addi- addi costs associated with a long enrollment period I appreciate your taking t the e time to welcome the presence of our new freshman many of whom are over forty and are likely very dry behind the ears All students are welcome at atour atour atour our college Every student is important and assuming priority for a first chance at class enrollment is a much more complex issue than you have taken the time to point out in your article Michael M. M Homer Dean School of U siness and Technology |