By Marley Malenfant and Bethany Sanderson/reporters
Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley traveled the district recently visiting each campus to speak with administrators, faculty and students.
On SE Campus Nov. 8, Hadley addressed concerns about TCC’s mascot, public transportation and Achieving the Dream, the district’s newest initiative.
Hadley asked for student opinions on the new bull mascot and then asked if the students knew why a mascot was selected.
“We didn’t have the mascot for you,” she said. “We did it for marketing and branding.”
Hadley said she was pleased with the support for the mascot.
“We got 2,476 people who voted for the mascot and left comments,” she said. “Seventy-two faculty members voted. Lots of alumni, students and local people voted too.”
Some students asked Hadley why TCC has no sports teams if it has a mascot. Hadley fired back that athletic teams aren’t needed.
“We chose not to put money toward the athletics,” she said. “We’re different. We cover a different niche. We’re not a university. We have a lot of programs, and we’re for anybody who wants to come. We have no interest in ever getting a sports team.”
SE student Jennifer Sofijczuk agreed with Hadley’s assessment.
“When you go to a community college, you should know what you’re getting into,” she said. “We have intramurals, so there is an outlet.”
When students asked if public transportation for SE Campus was in the future, Hadley said public transportation is a city issue. She said only South Campus has public transit. Any chance of Arlington getting public transit is unlikely.
“We can’t bring public transportation here, but the students can by voting,” she said. “TCC can’t meddle in that business, but the TCC students can vote. You need to air your voice by voting. Otherwise, you can’t get what you want.”
Hadley discussed the goals of Achieving the Dream with faculty members. Hadley said TCC has to change the way business is done and plans to do so with this initiative.
“We have done an outstanding job for the students who need us the least,” she said. “We haven’t done enough for the ones who need us the most.”
Hadley said 44 percent of students failed math in the district. She said Achieving the Dream can help faculty reach out to students.
“You’re going to have to be more than just faculty,” she said.
Hadley said TCC must recognize the type of students who attend here.
“The students that can’t go to UTA, that can’t go to TCU or UT because they can’t read or write, come to us,” she said. “Passing the TAKS doesn’t mean anything when you come to college. We have students think they’re ready for college because they passed the TAKS test. But they can’t pass the Accuplacer test. Therefore, we have all this political testing.”
Hadley said Achieving the Dream can give TCC some uniformity. She pointed out some of TCC’s technical programs like the NW Campus railroad dispatcher program and the nursing program get students to work together. She said the same should be done for core subjects.
“The natures of those learning programs create learning communities,” she said. “We need to find a way to do the same with economics and English and math.”
SE adjunct Flo Royal said Achieving the Dream will give faculty a challenge.
“I think this is great,” she said. “This makes us reach out to those students who need help.”
SE Campus associate professor of English Vicki Sapp said Achieving the Dream is a noble goal but might be giving students a false sense of hope.
“I don’t like the word dream,” she said. “What is a dream? I like the idea that we want to help our students accomplish their goals, but when they graduate, they might have to face the reality of unemployment in a depressed economy.”
Hadley toured NW Campus Oct. 25 beginning with the Fire Service Training Center and the Marine Creek Collegiate High School.
“She was very impressed with the facility and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the students who were enrolled in the new transition course,” said Arrick Jackson, divisional dean of public services and social and behavioral sciences. “Based upon conversations and comments made during her visit, there were no discussions concerning improvements to the facility.”
Hadley also walked through the aviation program lab and hangar. Then she visited the criminal justice program viewing the firing range, lab and Skylight Gallery. Next was the wellness\PE facility with an overview of the fitness center and dance program and Burlington Northern Santa Fe facilities, ending her tour with the library.
“We get to show off,” said librarian Sandy McCurdy.
The rest of the day, Hadley spent with students, faculty and administrators answering and asking questions pertaining to the areas of concern or comments from various departments.