2008 Woodie Awards
Students Missing In Action
Students wuthdraw from classes more out of a hunger for cold cash than for any other reason.
By: Anthony Pantoja
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Features
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Upon returning to his nutrition class, business major Aaron James, 21, finds that half of the students have vanished.
But they haven't disappeared from the planet. They're just not in their seats.
These missing students are just another statistic in the increasing withdrawal rate on campus.
"Drop rates here look like they have gone up compared to last semester," James said.
The prevailing reason for withdrawing from classes is that college students pack their schedules with an overload of work.
This issue forces students to change their work schedules, quit their jobs entirely, or drop a class.
In some cases, students cannot accommodate their work schedules because of their class hours, counselor Dr. Linda Arroyo said.
"We have done surveys in the past and actually called students to ask why they have dropped their classes," Arroyo said.
"One of the key problems is that they do not have enough money," she said.
Increased prices in units and books also contribute to students' lack of funding, and therefore the high withdrawal rate.
"The twenty-six per unit cost is starting to affect the student," counselor Chris Jeffries said. "Also, the cost of textbooks is really high."
Though financial aid is still available for the part-time student, full-timers reap the full reward.
"Being a full-time student allows them to receive the full amount of financial aid," Arroyo said. "Students just do not understand that."
Money's not the only hassle. Family emergencies also show up high on the list of reasons.
"A family can leave and not live in this location anymore, or something might have happened in the family where the student couldn't continue school," Arroyo said.
James said he usually drops a class every semester because he cannot manage to study and work at the same time.
Like many college students, James likes to leave time for fun.
"I prefer to party than to study, but there are those rainy days where I am forced to study," James said.
But they haven't disappeared from the planet. They're just not in their seats.
These missing students are just another statistic in the increasing withdrawal rate on campus.
"Drop rates here look like they have gone up compared to last semester," James said.
The prevailing reason for withdrawing from classes is that college students pack their schedules with an overload of work.
This issue forces students to change their work schedules, quit their jobs entirely, or drop a class.
In some cases, students cannot accommodate their work schedules because of their class hours, counselor Dr. Linda Arroyo said.
"We have done surveys in the past and actually called students to ask why they have dropped their classes," Arroyo said.
"One of the key problems is that they do not have enough money," she said.
Increased prices in units and books also contribute to students' lack of funding, and therefore the high withdrawal rate.
"The twenty-six per unit cost is starting to affect the student," counselor Chris Jeffries said. "Also, the cost of textbooks is really high."
Though financial aid is still available for the part-time student, full-timers reap the full reward.
"Being a full-time student allows them to receive the full amount of financial aid," Arroyo said. "Students just do not understand that."
Money's not the only hassle. Family emergencies also show up high on the list of reasons.
"A family can leave and not live in this location anymore, or something might have happened in the family where the student couldn't continue school," Arroyo said.
James said he usually drops a class every semester because he cannot manage to study and work at the same time.
Like many college students, James likes to leave time for fun.
"I prefer to party than to study, but there are those rainy days where I am forced to study," James said.