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Helena McDaniel is on a quest for knowledge. She's heading back to school this fall, taking 12 units at Sierra College in an effort to increase her knowledge, despite the cutbacks facing the state's community college fund and a shift of would-be four-year college students to places like Sierra.
“I'm confident I can get my classes despite the propaganda out there that says there is no money anywhere for us,” McDaniel said, waiting in the financial aid line at the Nevada County campus.
Students who begin classes Monday at Sierra College's Nevada County Campus and at the main campus in Rocklin should find the usual complement of seats and class sections this semester, officials say.
With the statewide community college system facing an overall 8 percent budget cut and the Sierra Community College District wrestling with ways to slash $5.5 million from its approximate $100 million budget, students may not feel the pinch until December.
Students already have seen per-unit fees increase from $20 to $26 this semester, and some are feeling stretched by a University of California and California State University system that has effectively put the padlock on the admissions door this fall because of budget cuts, sending thousands to community colleges.
State colleges have more flexibility in their admission policies, “which has made college less affordable to a lot of students,” said Aaron Klein, one of two Nevada County-area trustees on the Sierra College board.
It's the best of times, with more students, and the worst of times, with less money to help them, Klein said.
“For the fall, we're in pretty good shape,” Klein said.
About 5,300 students are expected to take at least one class this semester at the growing Nevada County campus, which is in the midst of a $13 million expansion and renovation project. Final attendance numbers are not in yet, but college officials said they expect a slight increase over the previous year.
The spring should be a different story, with fewer classes and instructors for a growing number of students. Sierra College President Leo Chavez has said that the effect on the Nevada County and Truckee campuses could be less than at the Rocklin campus, simply because the newer campuses are still growing.
The focus may simply shift to students like Andrea Marzolla, who is taking 12 units in hopes to transfer to a four-year school next year.
Marzolla qualifies for a fee waiver this semester.
“I'm pretty much good to go,” she said. “I'm excited about this semester and I like the fact that I can take classes even if I don't have much money.”
Marzolla's classes — dance, psychology, statistics — filled quickly, she said.
“It's totally on a first-come, first-serve basis,” she said.
The students who will gain an education at Sierra are the ones who will act quickly under tight budgets, Klein said.
“There will be challenges,” he said. “My advice to students is to watch carefully and register early. There will be more demand for a Sierra College education than we have the resources to deliver.”
“I'm confident I can get my classes despite the propaganda out there that says there is no money anywhere for us,” McDaniel said, waiting in the financial aid line at the Nevada County campus.
Students who begin classes Monday at Sierra College's Nevada County Campus and at the main campus in Rocklin should find the usual complement of seats and class sections this semester, officials say.
With the statewide community college system facing an overall 8 percent budget cut and the Sierra Community College District wrestling with ways to slash $5.5 million from its approximate $100 million budget, students may not feel the pinch until December.
Students already have seen per-unit fees increase from $20 to $26 this semester, and some are feeling stretched by a University of California and California State University system that has effectively put the padlock on the admissions door this fall because of budget cuts, sending thousands to community colleges.
State colleges have more flexibility in their admission policies, “which has made college less affordable to a lot of students,” said Aaron Klein, one of two Nevada County-area trustees on the Sierra College board.
It's the best of times, with more students, and the worst of times, with less money to help them, Klein said.
“For the fall, we're in pretty good shape,” Klein said.
About 5,300 students are expected to take at least one class this semester at the growing Nevada County campus, which is in the midst of a $13 million expansion and renovation project. Final attendance numbers are not in yet, but college officials said they expect a slight increase over the previous year.
The spring should be a different story, with fewer classes and instructors for a growing number of students. Sierra College President Leo Chavez has said that the effect on the Nevada County and Truckee campuses could be less than at the Rocklin campus, simply because the newer campuses are still growing.
The focus may simply shift to students like Andrea Marzolla, who is taking 12 units in hopes to transfer to a four-year school next year.
Marzolla qualifies for a fee waiver this semester.
“I'm pretty much good to go,” she said. “I'm excited about this semester and I like the fact that I can take classes even if I don't have much money.”
Marzolla's classes — dance, psychology, statistics — filled quickly, she said.
“It's totally on a first-come, first-serve basis,” she said.
The students who will gain an education at Sierra are the ones who will act quickly under tight budgets, Klein said.
“There will be challenges,” he said. “My advice to students is to watch carefully and register early. There will be more demand for a Sierra College education than we have the resources to deliver.”
