Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-09-26
A Communication
On The Junior College Issue


the graduating class; 1859 students. Thus, the
implication that only 165 students graduated
out of a beginning class of over 1000 is totally
misleading and inaccurate. However, after
taking into account the specials, the adults,
etc.. the part-time students, and the consider
able number who transferred to other insti-
tutions at the end of the first year, it is clear
that the 1859 who did graduate represents a
relatively small fraction of those who enrolled
and may have been expected to graduate in,
1868 perhaps only 300 or 40e6 1 have
not been able to determine exactly. The NUM-
Der is certainly not as small as the go implied
by Miss CMrs?) Saunders This dropout prob
lem is the plague of every major institution in
the country. On an average only 400 to 500
of the students who enter as freshmen go on
to graduate with their class. But, whereas this
is problem of major dimensions for large
colleges and universities, in terms of wasted
time of students, finances of parents and in
vestments of university resources, it is pre-
cisely problem which the local junior college
can solve with tremendous advantage to all
involved The screening process in a junior
college can separate major portion of those
who would not make the grade into higher
classes in any institution, guide them into
other useful courses, vocational technical,
which often are not available in major insti-
tutions, and do it far less extensively to the
student, the parent and our educational insti-
tutions. Also, those who are competent are
speeded on their way
AS to those who do not go on up the
academic ladder at full speed, the part-time,
the specials who want only one or two courses,
munity college for if it is not to meet the
specific and unique needs of such students
and adults of the local community? What is
wrong with enrolling for particular courses
and not graduating? What is the complaint
against "stringing out" two-year program
for three or four years? 1 personally know
several students who are "stringing out" their
programs year or two while working part
time and saving every dime so that their last
two years at far more expensive 4-year col
lege will be possible. Otherwise, they could
never afford any college education. Why isn't
a student, and the community, better off when
a high school vocational student takes one
additional year at MUG rather than stopping
at the high school level even though he may
not graduate? What is wrong with students
transferring to major college after one year.
after he finds he can manage it, rather than
after two years? How many are the benefits
to the student and the community when MIC
saves shaky student and sends him success
fully on his way who would otherwise never
have made the grade in big-time college?
1t obviously suits Miss (or Mrs. Saun
ders tidy conception of a junior college to
have "a centrally located campus" Though
for Takoma students it's quite inconvenient
(which should prove adequate for years to
come, especially since projected enrolment
figures have been revised downward" (by an
arbitrary Board policy which denies admission
to about 1919 of the students who, up to now
have been welcomed at Takoma), with goals
and standards definitely stated presumably
including a requirement that only the elite
and well-heeled who can take fulltime classes
have no "stringing OUT difficulties, and move
promptly on to graduation be admitted). But
as in so many cases, the practical problems
of life are not met by the neat tidy concep
tons of people who don't know what they
are talking about
a. The fact is, MIC is doing an outstand-
ing job in every category of the wide assert
ment of needs such an institution is designed
to meet. For the academic or technical trans
fer students there is no question of ready ac-
ceptance at any four-year institution, with full
credit for every MIC course For the technical
vocational terminal student there are seven
excellent courses of study, some of these in
cooperation with local business organizations
IBM US Public HEALTH and ready employ
ment opportunities for the skillful technicians
who graduate therefrom For special students
and adults there is variety of courses and
flexible arrangements. MIC at Takoma is
fully accredited and has a reputation far be-
yond the State boundaries as junior college
of superior statute, superb facility and out
standing accomplishments in the education of
the community's youth. Not only are the top
flight who frequently choose to go there &C.
commodated, but also the average and many
below average who, through technical or
special programs, find doors opened to
broader experiences and opportunities; thus
fulfilling the most basic goal of education.
For more complete answer to her ques-
ton rs this obsolete, Inadequate junior col
Mrs) Saunders make some first hand con.
facts with what the faculty and students in
many categories of endeavor are actually
accomplishing at MIC, Takoma. What she
would find there would bring a feeling of
deep satisfaction to any citizen of Montgom-
cry County who has even dim comprehen-
sion of the kind of changing world we are
facing and who at the same time has any
real compassion and interest in young stu.
dents and tho m any varieties NJ nrohIoroe fhav