In the aftermath of the troubles that preceded the fall 2011 enrollment process, the Cerritos College Administration is considering adding additional classes in an effort to supplement students’ needs for this current semester.

Cerritos College President and Superintendent Lindy Lacy spoke about the decision to add classes, saying, “We looked at the wait list, and the number of students that were still needing some of those specific classes, and determined that we should add two English classes, and possibly two math classes.”

The decision to add these classes stems from the realization that students are experiencing a difficult time getting into the classes that they need in order to continue their education.

Another deciding factor that went into this decision was the number of students that

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were interested in taking the class but were relegated to a wait list status, ultimately making most students unable to get into the class.

Lacy went on to discuss the impact of the financial budget, saying, “Every time we offer a class there’s a cost involved because we have to pay the instructors.”

The wait-listed students that attempted to get into an English or math class during their enrollment date before the start of the semester would have first priority in adding these classes.

These students will more than likely be contacted via e-mail alerting them of an addition in a specific class that they previously expressed interest in. The student will then have the option of adding that nine-week class, assuming it does not conflict with the student’s current schedule of classes.

Cerritos College student Kiann Charbonnet, who triple majors in Dance, Cosmetology, and Education commented on the possibility of the addition of these classes, saying, “It’s better for more students to have an English and math class so they can get in instead of waiting until the next semester.”

Cerritos College students said they were excited about the idea of having additional classes added to this semester’s current schedule of classes.

Film major Adam Rodriguez said, “That’s a totally great idea. I don’t think you will find one student on this campus that will disagree with that. It’s one of those things where [Cerritos College] want us to transfer but then they are not really helping us transfer, so we have to meet each other in the middle, and this is a start.”

The possible addition of these classes is contingent on the Cerritos College Administration being able to find available instructors as well as available classroom space.

Computer Science major Isaac Chavez commented on the possibility of students not taking advantage of these classes, saying, “We are packed, so it seems like people need the classes, but if people don’t go it would be a waste of money.”

The department chairs in the English and math departments are still working on what specific classes would be added to this semester’s class schedule.

Chavez went on to say “You would have to put out a list and see if they have enough people then start the class, otherwise it would be a misappropriation of funds.”

English professors Francie Quaas Berryman commented on the possibility of these classes impacting their workload.

“It doesn’t really impact the instructors workload because you are only allowed to teach so many units, so what it could mean is they would be adding additional adjunct faculty, which is a good thing for those people as well, because it will open up some classes that they might not have gotten.”

Associate professor of mathematics Manuel Lopez addressed the concern of a harder workload for students taking this nine week class.

“You would have the same number of hours in the class. The difference would be that you would probably meet with the class four times a week instead of twice a week.

That type of continuity sometimes helps students stay focused. Sometimes 18 weeks drags a little.”

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Marilyn Brock spoke on the decision to add these classes.

“In times of tight budgets you want to try to put in classes that will serve the students that are really having the most difficulty getting their college units because we’re really interested in student success and retention.

“So if anybody has to have a class to graduate or to move forward in their educational program we want to try to serve those students if we possibly can.”

Brock continued, saying, “We have amazing workshops to help students succeed, so they need to use every resource available to help them succeed.

These proposed classes would begin during the second session of the fall semester beginning Oct. 17.