College of the Desert Top Questions

I attend a Community College. Due to the harsh cuts in education, an influx of students are beginning to attend Community College as a cheaper alternative. Community colleges also face budget cuts, leaving colleges no choice but to lay off teachers, and cut courses. This results in severely overcrowded classrooms. The frustration lies within seeing desperate students take seats on the floor of a classroom, pleading to be put on a roster, and knowing that no student should ever be turned away from an education.

There are too many students and not enough classes. Especially for nursing students.

The only frustrating thing I can think of is the parking situation. I am sure we are not unique to this growing problem, more people realize that they need to continue their education means more student and thus, less parking places. And you can never assume the proper waiting time it will be to find that parking place. With every college student in the Valley all going to the same college we must share what space we have unfortunitly at the expense of tardies in some cases.

The most frustrating thing about the college is the parking because the parking lots close to the campus were all built 20 years ago and are very small for the amount of students attending. The college has expanded its parking lots but they are far from classes so you need to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for your class in order to make it on time. Other big frustrations would be the continually growing price of tuition and the cost of books at the campus bookstore.

There is a lack of campus life due to the fact that many students work and raise a family while attending community college. Students attend class and leave without many socializing activities.

I am so grateful to have been able to go back to school in my late twenties and accomplish my dream of getting a degree. However, it was really frustrating, knowing that the semester system takes so much longer than the quarter system. In addition to that, with the current cut backs, it has become harder to get the classes needed to get to your goal. Ultimately, I would like to see the community college system switching to the quarter system to give their students the same opportunities university student currently enjoy.

The declining budget for community colleges and other higher education campuses. This is limited our variety in classes due to instructors and classes being canceled and/or eliminated. This is extending my graduation date by two semesters.