By Megan Carradine/south news editor
Both students and teachers attended TCC’s comprehensive strategic planning process last week on South Campus.
Students and faculty were given planning cards to provide suggestions, ideas and comments about what they thought would help TCC and its students in the near future.
Many students, like sophomore Wilberta Jackson, were pleased to be invited to give their input.
“This gives us a chance to voice our opinion,” she said. “It’s about time.”
Some students, such as freshman Kelly Daves, however, thought their input was in vain.
“I don’t think this is going to help much,” she said. “They probably won’t even look at the comment cards, but I appreciate the attempt.”
Three goals were targeted at the session. The first goal was to support student-learning success, the second was to make textbooks and school affordable for students, and the third was to promote institutional effectiveness.
Most students felt the second goal was most important.
“I’m glad they’re trying to do something about the textbook prices. Some of the books cost more than tuition itself,” sophomore Adam Jackson said.
The emergency management plan was a big concern to other students. Jackson said during what was thought to be a gas leak last month on SE Campus, it took her an hour to move 50 yards and even longer to get outside.
“This made me realize how much work we needed to put toward the emergency management plan,” she said.
“Students should be able to evacuate much quicker than we did.”
TCC plans to read all the cards and ensure the feedback given will be a part of the action plan, said a representative of the Cross Group, the company contracted to do the study and conducting the session.