Alabama Southern Campus Demopolis Taken over

[Rodeo]

Alabama Southern Demopolis Campus has been taken over by UWA .Does any one know about what the people already attending Alabama Southern for a degree will have to do to finish . What about rate increases ? Some people can't afford UWA rates? I Heard our city council had something to do with it.

[swackhammer51]

You know you can take out loans for college right? I promise it is a expense well worth it

[dave]

I'm not sure anything will change. The partnerships are still the same, just the managing entity is changing. They will not be called "UWA", but "The Demopolis Higher Education Center". ASCC will still be a partner.

I'm not sure I'm in favor of re-branding though. ASCC and UWA are estabolished institutions, and can draw students based off their name and reputations. The Demopolis Higher Education Center sounds more like an adult education / trade school and may scare off high school grads looking for a "real college experience". We need this to succeed. Hopefully UWA can help us get there.

[Rodeo]

My concern is with some young people are taking classes out there toward a 2 year Alabama Southern Degree. UWA is a 4 year college with different classes. Wondering if the classes these people need to finish their Alabama Southern degree will be offered by UWA taking over or will they be forced to drive to Thomasville every day to finish what was started here? To me that's not fair for those people to have to do that !


As far as loans go, some young people doesn't want to start life $40,000 to $50,000 in debt hoping to find a job when they finish.

[uwa_amanda]

Originally Posted by Rodeo

My concern is with some young people are taking classes out there toward a 2 year Alabama Southern Degree. UWA is a 4 year college with different classes. Wondering if the classes these people need to finish their Alabama Southern degree will be offered by UWA taking over or will they be forced to drive to Thomasville every day to finish what was started here? To me that's not fair for those people to have to do that !


As far as loans go, some young people doesn't want to start life $40,000 to $50,000 in debt hoping to find a job when they finish.

Some people, like myself, don't/didn't have a choice. That is the kind of debt that is "good" debt. It's financing a greater future for a student who wants to do better than minimum wage. People with college educations typically make more money than someone with just a high school diploma, so to me, it is definitely worth it.

[Romad]

ASCC will continue to offer 2 year classes at the DHEC as long as they choose to, the folks who are enrolled in the one terminal degree program offered there - Business Technology - will be able to complete their degree there, they won't have to move to T-ville.

The facility is just changing managing partners - UWA and ASCC have been partners from the beginning, now UWA will be given a chance to step up to the plate as the facility manager. They plan on making immediate upgrades in badly needed infrastructure technology - such as installing a T-1 line, and expanding course offerings starting in August so many folks won't have to drive all the way to Livingston.

UWA will continue to pursue the expansion of the facility with a Career Tech Center to help provide training for highly skilled trades crafts as well as offer an expanded class schedule for the DHEC. UWA is committed to growing with Demopolis and providing the very best in world class education and training to ensure that our city's future remains bright.

[jman]

Will they still offer dual enrollement for DHS students?

[praisingHim]

I'm not sure I'm in favor of re-branding though. ASCC and UWA are estabolished institutions, and can draw students based off their name and reputations. The Demopolis Higher Education Center sounds more like an adult education / trade school and may scare off high school grads looking for a "real college experience". We need this to succeed. Hopefully UWA can help us get there.[/quote]


You know, I work with Adult Education every day. This in some remote way offends me. We have worked hand in hand with "real college" students for the last four years, and, as far as I know, haven't scared one of them off. You know, if we all think about the circumstances in our lives, all of us were just one wrong turn away from being in the same place as many of our Adult Education learners.

The public's perception is that they are a group of no good thugs. There may be a hand full, but the overwhelming majority is hard working citizens that live and breathe right next door to you. They made mistakes and are now ready to correct their mistakes. When people label them, they just give up.


Please be careful how you word what is said. The Bible says, "the least of these." If you didn't have Adult Education, many famous people would be unemployed today. Look up and see who is famous that got a GED. By the way, statistics show that over 80% of your high school graduates cannot pass the GED.

[Pharmt]

Thank you praisingHim

My feelings exactly. I don't think Dave intended to offend anyone. Its just the public's uninformed (or misinformed) view of a vocational, technical, trade education.

I am the product of a two year education. It has provided me with employment for the past 30yrs. I have never been without employment and I do not concern myself with that thought. If I were to lose or quit my job today, I would not have any problem finding employment.

I am going to be tested monday for the highest level of competence in my field. I have no doubt that I will pass. I know quite a few people in my field with 4yr college degrees
who have not, or cannot reach this level. I personally do not want it, but my employer
wants me to get it. No problem, I have an ignorant, thug, low class education from a two year school.

By the way I flunked english, grammar and spelling.

GO! ASCC and UWA

[Romad]

Originally Posted by jman

Will they still offer dual enrollement for DHS students?

Yes they will! ASCC isn't going anywhere.

[crazylady1410]

So I heard that the adult education program was having to move from ascc. Does any one know anything about this? If this is true where will they have class for G.E.D?
you know you can hear anything. If anyone knows please let me know. Or will the ones taking classes now just have to give up and still be without any type of education? I hope this is not true,they are in need of education to or Im sure most of them wouldnt be going. I said most not all.This is gonna be bad on the ones that really wants this for themself. ONE OR TWO BAD APPLES CAN RUIN THE WHOLE BUNCH!!!

[crazylady1410]

Thank you praising him for looking ot for others!!!!

[Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Romad

Yes they will! ASCC isn't going anywhere.

How sure are you of this?
So the young people can register July 13th with Alabama Southern for the fall semster in Demopolis?

[dave]

Originally Posted by praisingHim

You know, I work with Adult Education every day. This in some remote way offends me. We have worked hand in hand with "real college" students for the last four years, and, as far as I know, haven't scared one of them off. You know, if we all think about the circumstances in our lives, all of us were just one wrong turn away from being in the same place as many of our Adult Education learners.

I'm a graduate of ASCC. I'm not knocking Adult Ed centers--they are needed and really required everywhere and serve a great purpose. My concern is the "re-branding" of the school takes some of the drawing power the ASCC and UWA brands can bring. I'm looking at the average high school grad who sees the local Junior college as "13th grade" and will apply out of town--even though they would have gotten the same education here without the commute / living expenses. It's not the education I'm worried about--it's the enrollment numbers.

If Burger King was running a fast food joint here, then decided to call it "Demopolis fast food burgers" instead of "Burger King", I would have to same concerns for it's future.

[Kagan]

Demopolis' acquirement of its own two-year community college is loooonnnnggg over due.

Hanceville (2,941 pop) has had Wallace State Community College since 1966.
Sumiton (2,665 pop) has had Bevill State Community College since 1992.
Thomasville (4,649 pop) and Monroeville (6,862 pop) have shared Alabama Southern since 1991.
Brewton (5,498 pop) has had Jefferson Davis Community College since 1965.
Wadley (640 pop) has had Southern Union State Community College since at least 1970.

You could drop two or three of those communities into Demopolis at once and not come to the River City's population.

What Demopolis truly needs is a SEPARATE entity from that of ASCC or UWA. Something that the community and surrounding areas can unite behind.

Vine & Olive Community College would be a name with a nice local flair to it.