By Vicki Ungvarsky
If given the resources, the Tri-C experience could be drastically improved by providing students with free textbooks, technology, technology services, smaller student-to-professor ratios, more classes being available at night and on weekends, and having a nighttime and weekend dining option.
Right now, textbooks and technology, such as laptops, chargers, and cameras, are offered to students at discount prices. Even with the discounts, those items are still expensive. Part of the beauty of going to a community college is not paying university prices. While Tri-C is still less expensive than state colleges, the gap in price really is not as large as hoped when you consider that some universities may charge more per credit hour, but then they include textbooks, technology, and technology services in that original sticker cost.
As for technology services, they do not offer services when your computer dies or any specific computer problems unless it deals directly with Tri-C, like having trouble signing into Brightspace. The cost of having a computer fixed can be outrageous as well. Tri-C even charges for printing out materials after a certain number of pages have been printed.
I would also hope that with better resources, Tri-C could depend less, if at all, on federal funding. This would allow more majors to be offered here, since the government is telling public institutions to shut down less popular programming. Offering more majors would make it a more attractive option for prospective students. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to hire more faculty as well, allowing for smaller student-to-professor ratios as found in private universities. With more faculty, more in-person classes could be opened at night and on weekends.
The school could have a dining option for students who attend classes at night or at weekends. Many Tri-C students work and/or are parents, so they need more options for coming to class, and for eating.
While Tri-C has many resources and programs, these areas could be improved if given potential future funding.
