2000

WEEK OF -~-~2,.___::_::_ _

_ _ ay: Keeping community colleg By Marianne Todd "fhe Meridian Star

..1always have a concern that the ~ are large numbe of people who a: not truly unders·: and appreciate high-quality aca· demic work that ~ done in commur– colleges."

..Community colleges are

While the role of Mississippi comrm– nity colleges is growin.g, one consta~t remains - people contmue to enroll m the smaller schools for their quality of teaching, low tuition and close conne~­ tions to students, family and communi- ty. d' . "Community colleges are very Iverst-

very diversified. We are finding now that our mission is being

fied. We are finding now that our mis– sion is being defined and expanded," said Dr. Olon Ray, exec– utive director of the Mississippi State Board for Commu– nity and Junior Col– leges. .rwe are going beyond traditional

defined and expanded. ..

trruning programs, vocational, technical and then our initial transfer to baccalau– reate degrees into lifelong learning." Ray met with The Meridian Star's editorial board Friday to discuss the role of community colleges, t~eir impact. Bfld recent litigation involvmg compct1t1on with four-year UlllversJties. Ray said one of the basic challenges two-year colleges havt:. is continuing to Ray Cont1nued from page 1A

in community colleges... It's a message that gets obscured sometimes." Ray said research shows students who transfer to four-year colleges after attending community colleges have high– er grade point averages than their coun– terparts. Tuition at community colleges aver- •

communicate about quality, class size and the advantages two-year students have over students who begin their schooling at the university level. "I always have a concern that there are large numbers of people who do not truly understand and appreciate the high-quality academic work that is done

critics. globe can enter the system "I think we have taken a t hrough a "portal" institution v~ry courageous posi tion in and take as ma ny classes at as going to the courts on the issue. many community colleges as We find ourselves in a position they choose. we'd rather not be in, but one During spring semester, vir– we need to be involv ed in . tua l community college had Everything we did was designed about 1,500 students enrolled. to avoid a lawsuit. We waited During the summer. 1.000 stu– until the last minute, until the dents were enrolled. One stu– announcement that USM was dent takes classes on line from going to start to enroll students Singapore, he said. and hire faculty on the Missis- "We now have more than 70 sippi Gulf Coast," Ray said. sections being taught by 50 fac- "Then we also made a very ulty members," Ray said. "In the significant decision in that we fall semester, we will have more were going to pay for the law- than 200 sections and enroll– suit ourselves. It was not. going ment could go up. to be a public expenditure. We "We have not marketed our are currently in the business of programs , and frankly, I'm raising money to pay our attor- afraid to. We're trying to be sure ney; on the other side, the state we do this right. and address the is supporting the cost of the uni- quality issue and don't grow too ,·ers·t doing th

"We have freshmen and ophomor(; level faculty who are devoted exclusively to teaching, and they are some of the best teachers in the business. But it's not just that. There is a person– al connection when, they know you. and most of the time, they care about you. There is a con– nectivity there, and there also is a student accountability factor. "I think it makes a difference, a positive difference. But I also have seen large educational institutions that are large enough that the predominant atmosphere is very personal and there is a sense of community, loyalty and pride."

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