Parking Lot Wars Episode VII: The Parking Space that Never Was

A long time ago in a community college far, far way...

Let's face it, parking at GCC is always a hassle. Students literally almost have to fight get a at least get a decent space.

The absolute worst time of year to find a spot is at the beginning of the semester because that's when everyone on their dog decides to go to school. Slowly, but surly as the semester goes on, those once ambitious students begin dropping like fly's, therefore, opening up more spaces. But for whatever reason it still continues to be an issue.

Many times, students are forced to park all the way back in the north lots when their classes are across campus, which causes them to be late. But around 1-2pm is when all the clutter begins to clear. For instance, since almost every students has class in the morning, the lots tend to be more full and in the afternoon it pretty much open. Also, Paradise Valley Community College uses parking permits to ensure that every student can get parking space.

The moral of  the story is get to school, if possible, 15-20 minutes early to find a great spot to having easy access to class.

Tuition at Glendale Community College

The average tuition at Arizona State University is $22,940, including the costs of classes, books, rent for living on campus, and food. One could easily compare that rate to the $81 per-credit-hour tuition cost at Glendale Community College and instantly see why so many pressed-for-cash college students elect to take the community college route. 
In a Skype interview with Arizona State University student Kacie McSorley, McSorley said "Honestly, I am so envious of students who began their educational careers at a community college. At my university, I'm literally taking the exact same classes I could have taken at a community college for probably three times the cost, and everything costs an arm and a leg. I feel like I'm being sucked dry financially. If I had started at a community college, I would be so much happier right now." 

Paying for community college is a much easier way to pay your way through school. In a recent interview with Glendale Community College student Chelsea Schwark, she said, “The lower tuition rate at GCC as opposed to the major Arizona universities has had a very positive impact on my progress as a student because it has allowed me to add on more classes that I need to my schedule every semester, without worrying how much more they are going to cost me. Now I can get my degree much faster than if I had started college at a major university because I can actually afford to get ahead. And besides, by attending community college, I can still live at home for a bit longer, saving me money on food and rent.”

Students get more "bang for their buck" when attending a community college because unlike universities, they offer students a smaller, more one-on-one environment. Additionally, financial aid offices at community colleges are far more willing to cater to students' financial needs than at the university level. Even miscellaneous and annoying education costs such as parking permits, student IDs, and additional costs for taking specific classes are often substantially lower or non-existent at community colleges, allowing more money to stay in students' wallets. 

Also, according to Glendale Community College North student Meghan Dwyer, “Lowered tuition costs at community college has helped me save up money for when I transfer to a university, and has also made it so that my parents can help me pay for my studies. If I had gone into a university right out of high school, I would be backed up with student loans after about a year, but as of now I am living debt free, all thanks to the amazing community college system.”

Sources:

http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg03_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1096

http://www.gccaz.edu/currentstudents/financial/tuition.htm
http://www.cgsnet.org/data-sources-role-community-colleges-pathway-graduate-degree-attainment-0

Legacy Media and The Internet

I went on three different news websites (CNN, Washington Post, and New Your Times) and they have updated their websites so the readers can chime in with their opinions and have discussions regarding the article. Many of those sites have a Facebook page and/or Twitter profile which they link their stories so the people who "like" or follow them can stay informed. On the pages of the stories, they have options where the reader can choose on which social networking platform they choose to share the articles.

Blog Post 1 Response

As an online journalist, we have every right to protect the anonymity our sources because they may fear for their safety of themselves and their families so we must do anything to protect them. Also, the government should not name the names of the sources because it should be up to the reporter to decide whether or not they want to oust the name of their source not the governments. That changes if it is a matter to national security because it if poses a threat to the security of the American people then the government should intervene.

Also, reporters using Gmail as a third party host will leave sources at risk and possibly drive them away because, in the past, Google has been proven to hackable. For example, in an interview with NPR Jennifer Valentino-DeVries states, “I find that all of this, including the AP revelations, contributed to a sense of nervousness among sources. Even people who are not discussing particularly sensitive information with me will comment about the possibility of my emails and phone calls being tapped. And I think that's been disconcerting."