Students will not succeed without more regular assistance.
During a Governance Leadership Institute conference March 19-21, four community college presidents from around the country said there should be one adviser per 160 students, but the estimated number of students to advisers at this college is one to 800 students, said Amy Whitworth, chair of the language, philosophy and culture department.
There should be no reason why the ratio should be that big.
Not only does that create a less student-centered college, it makes students not want to attend this college.
With the estimated one to 800 ratio, students feel like they are not cared for when they are thrown into the world of college.
When students are making the transition from high school to college and especially if a student is the first in their family to attend college, they need the proper support. Without that support from advisers, students will not want to go to this college.
For students who are already in college, the lack of an adviser could cause the students to drop out.
Some students may be struggling with classes already and may need the assistance of an adviser, but a student may not get the counseling that keeps them on the path toward graduation or transferring.
By not having enough advisers, students will get lost in the system.
If the district does care about the students, they would invest more money in hiring more advisers, which would benefit students.
This could result in students regularly meeting with advisers and discussing any problems that may prevent graduation.
Students need to come first and advisers are the bridge students need to reach success.
