The Learning Center at Willamette High School is one of seven satellites that Eugene's Lane Community College has or will soon open in area neighborhoods and outlying districts. Each center is attached to a high school and includes a computer lab and teaching room. A full-time supervisor oversees each center. People signing up for credit or noncredit courses have access to everything they need at the center, from registration to buying textbooks. With the touch of a finger, a computerized kiosk that is networked to the main campus links users to course schedules, transcripts, financial aid and campus events.
Technology is also available for students to take distance learning courses.
Lane Community College has offered night classes at area high schools for years, said Larry Warford, vice president for instruction. But he said the learning centers allow the college to offer a broader range of courses, more computer support and more complete services, such as on-site academic counseling and courses targeted to senior citizens. In addition, the centers attract a different segment of the population, such as senior citizens, returning students and residents who don't have kids in area schools. High schools also benefit from the partnership. The college allows schools to use the computer labs for two hours each morning before the center opens.