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| Photo by Geraldine Rocha |
For me Chabot College has a lot of potential deal breakers.
First of all, Chabot offers 2 year degree programs and transfers, but it takes
a person 3-6 years to actually achieve it. It takes the students longer because
Chabot is cutting so many classes that people need. Not everyone that needs the
particular classes can get in. For example, English and Math are subjects that
everyone has to take, but there are not enough classes offered for the amount
of students attending Chabot. Now Chabot is trying to kick out the students.
When I
say “kick out” I mean they are trying to get the students that have been
attending Chabot for over 2 years out. Now they are starting to offer classes
that are required for certain AA degrees, but have not been available for
years. For example, students trying to get their AA in Photography are not able
to get their AA in 2 years; as they state. They have cut so many of the classes
that are require to graduate. Now, the school has decided they will switch off
on which class to offer next depending on who needs what in order to graduate.
(True story, it's actually happening. My Photo teacher asked what class
everyone needed next for their AA degree. Simply because the school wants to
offer any classes needed and remove the once that aren't needed at the time.)
A second deal breaker is Financial Aid cut off. Once a student reaches 90 units the financial aid department concludes that the student is doing nothing but taking random classes and is just attending for the money. Well with me that is wrong. Currently I am struggling with the financial aid department here at Chabot because to them 90.5 units are too many. I was told, "In order to be considered for financial aid again I must talk to a counselor and come up with schedule of the classes you need in order to graduate. You must fill out a petition and explain why it going to take you more units in order to complete my AA" (Financial Aid worker). This is ridiculous. I know it took me a while to choose my major, but most of the classes I have taken go toward my AA. I am trying to take classes that at required by San Jose State in order to transfer. So why must a student that is taking classes she/he need in order to achieve an AA and/or transfer be punished. I only have two more semesters to go in which they consist of 15-18 units per semester. I do qualify for the fee waiver which helps me out financially; but I still need to pay for books and supplies. As a full time student and a part time worker money is tight. This deal breaker could mean I either struggle really hard to achieve that AA and the proper classes and units to transfer to UCSJ or i could give up and work full time. But I am NOT a quitter. So I guess I must deal with this and do the best I can to get my education. I will guard my education with tooth and nail if needed.
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| Photo by Geraldine Rocha |
Dealing
with this deal breaker has been a struggle but it is doable. People have to
make sure they speak to their counselors in order to help them create a plan so
that they may graduate or transfer faster/on time. I will continue doing my photography whether
or not they are offering the class. There are a lot of resources I could use in
order to continue with my passion of
photography and education.
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| Photo by Geraldine Rocha |
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