Back in session
Thousands of students began fall term Monday at PC
Conditions were sunny and bright at Porterville College Monday morning as hundreds of students flocked with excitement for the first day of the fall semester.
Classes actually began Saturday for weekend classes, but Monday large groups gathered outside classrooms, the admissions office and the bookstore, as well as around the many maps posted for students to look for their classes.
The biggest challenge for students was finding their way around.
“After taking one year off since I graduated high school I am now ready to continue my education,” said Rudy Lopez, who will be taking general education (GE) classes this semester. “I hope to find my class and learn a lot this semester.”
New students were standing at one of the many new posted maps, looking for their classes.
PC continues to grow. Of the 4,281 students enrolled this fall semester, roughly 75 percent are full-time students, which means they are taking no less than 12 units.
This semester the college is offering more courses on site and online as a result of the total enrollment rate increasing. Some of the newly-added online and campus classes for students are Expository Writing (ENGL P101A), Elementary Algebra
(MATH P055), College Planning and Success (INST P105) and Public Safety Report Writing (ADMJ P101).
Throughout the morning many students stopped at information booths set up in the quad to ask for directions and about services being offered on campus.
Sitting right next the to the booths, Maren Winningham and Carly Kaskins said they were pretty excited for the semester to begin.
“I like seeing old faces and meeting new ones in classes,” said Winningham. “I also see all of the freshmen trying to find their way to their classes. It's fun.”
Ronaldo Galvan, is a business a administration major and is taking a full load of 12 units.
“It is definitely a challenge,” said Galvan. “I've gotten to meet many people on campus and we can work together while we learn.”
Galvan added that attending PC has allowed him to save money and he is looking forward to taking sign language for one of his classes.
Primavera Arvizu, vice president of student services, pointed out school officials will be out all week as part of Welcome Week to help get students off to a good start.
Apart from all the services offered to students like tutoring, learning support services, and supplemental instruction, this year the college has added a mental health and wellness support system to students.
“Sometimes students go through anxiety. They feel lonely and frustrated,
they don't know to how to feel with those emotions and frustrations, so we now have a mental health and wellness counselor,” said Arvizu.
Sam Aunai, vice president of instruction, added the partnership PC has made with Porterville Unified and Burton school districts is paying off, and the dual-enrollment classes offered at all PUSD high schools and at Summit Charter Collegiate Academy in the Burton district are very successful.
“PC is doing a lot more outreach opportunities and letting students know there is many opportunities for students to continue their education,” said Aunai. “PC is by far a bargain compared to four-year schools because the cost is a lot more convenient for the students.”
Arvizu said a big percent of the students at PC get a fee waiver, meaning they don't pay the $46 per unit cost. Many students also get Pell Grants, which help to pay for things like books, child care, supplies, and even transportation.
Arvizu said the school is utilizing smart cards, a kind of debit card for city bus service, and is working to get the word out to students they are available.
Last school year, PC awarded 375 Associate degrees, 131 Associate degrees for Transfer, 104 Certificates of Achievement and 119 Job Skills Certificates (729 total). This was up from 612 total for the 2016-17 school year and 560 total for the 2015-16 school year.
“There are many more class selections, and we are providing courses at the adult school, providing more opportunities,” said Arvizu. “We hope for excellence and student success this academic year.”