College 110 and 111 are practically the same.College 110 teaches how to handle stress and college life, which is the main objective of the class. While College 111, that is taught by TRiO, teaches that and things like financial literacy and along with College Transferring. This class is currently mandatory for new degree-seeking students who place below college level in math or english.

This decision to make the class mandatory is not only for students new to College and will soon be made mandatory for college students who are seeking a degree and it won’t matter if they test above college level. This very decision changes a lot, not only for the 110 class, but for the 111 class.

Students who have already completed a college course and seek a degree at another college will have to take the class, even though it is superfluous for them to take the class. This issue is one that can be easily addressed; if the instructor feels the student wouldn’t benefit from the course they can dismiss them from taking it.

In an interview with Bethel Wolfe, WorkFirst Navigator and Adjunct Faculty clarified “I had a student in my class who had a nursing degree. On the second day she said ‘do I really have to be here?’ I said ‘No you don’t really have to be here.’ She had already been through a college program successfully.” In situations like this the student is directed to go to the curriculum advisors so they can manually change the requirement.

Though the decision greatly affects the College 110 students, it impacts the 111 course more than might be expected. TRiO is required by their Federal Grant to not replicate mandatory College service.

Before College 110 was made mandatory TRiO were in the clear to do what the 110 course did and they added what they felt would help the students in their program. After, 110 classes were made mandatory they needed to change the class. Since, they weren’t able to address this this quarter and it shows since, College 110 and 111 are offered this quarter.

The TRiO program, in an effort to abide by the stipulations of the 5 year grant, are removing the 111 class and are going to make a new class.“ What we’re going to do is take the other stuff, some of the things we have to teach and offer our students. So we’re going to make a two credit College financial literacy class.” said Terry Green, Faculty Counselor/Advisor, when asked how they would handle this change. The program faculty feel this will better help the students who sign up with them.

This change though difficult for some, is a coordinated plan to help students prepare for College and the life after graduation.