The Gulf Coast College campus parking lot was full to capacity in preparation for a town meeting scheduled. The speaker on tap is Florida Senator Bill Nelson. With the heat index hovering near 100 degrees, students look ready for the beach sporting shorts and sandals. Some unfortunates in the Nelson camp were suited in dress shirts and ties. Carl Grey Park, where students gather when the heat isn’t sweltering, is directly across from the college. It’s a quiet place with a great view of the bay to study or chat.
Gulf Coast Community College celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007. The college was the first public two-year institution to open in Florida. The state of Florida now has 28 public community colleges. There is a community college located within commuting distance of 96% of Florida’s population.
Gulf Coast College sits on an eighty acre campus which overlooks St. Andrew Bay. Each semester the college enrolls over 7000 credit seeking students. Thousands more register for the lifelong learning non- credit classes. A popular class enjoyed by senior citizens is water aerobics given inside the Wellness Center. One student prank is to push an unsuspecting freshman into the girls dressing room on Senior Swim Day. The elderly ladies have a big laugh after the initial shrieks of terror. [ From the student ]
The slogan for Gulf Coast College is Start Here. Go Anywhere! Approximately, 80% remain in the area. Many noted local politicians and government officials are Gulf Coast College alumni. Many business owners are willing to pay for their employees continued education.
One option is weekend college. In a five weekend session- you can gain three semester hours. You must attend all weekends, without prior permission to be absent from the instructor- you will be withdrawn from the course.
Online college classes are popular with some individuals for the convenience. With web registration, online advising, the library on Internet access, it isn’t necessary to ever set foot near a classroom. The students, I spoke to in the Student Union East Building, were not about missing the college experience.
Jason – age 19, who graduated high school in May, is looking forward to college. Fall registration begins August 15-17. Pushing back his sun- streaked hair, he calls me Miss. Jason is pursing a music degree. He plans to transfer to Florida State University after he receives his AA from Gulf Coast. Florida State University, Panama City campus, has an enrollment freeze. They are not accepting undergraduates unless directly transferring with an AA degree from a community college.
Through our whole conversation he navigates his iphone like a madman with only seconds to live. He types so fast, his fingers moving over the keys at such a rate, you feel the draft off the speed. He was playing a game and texting, simultaneously. [ I have trouble keeping up with one bingo card.] He said he was waiting on friends who were in seeing their advisors.
Jason is taking three classes his first semester. He works 20-40 hours per week unloading delivery trucks at the Panama City Mall. He is taking Algebra, Personal and College Success and English. Jason has already pre-registered online and purchased all but one of the books he will need. He said his Mom burst a blood vessel over his Math book cost of $137, included inside an access code for online help. I asked did he know about buying less expensive textbooks on Ebay or cheapbooks. com. He said he did now.
In-state tuition for a full year is $1, 419- a cost of $51 for every credit hour earned. Additional fees estimated-$327. The costs of books for a full year are estimated at $800. The percentage of students in Florida receiving some financial aid is 71%.
He plays guitar in a band, though they don’t have a name yet. [ Searching for a singer] Jason pulls up a couple of his original songs on the iphone for me to see. He says the band has played at McKenzie Park, downtown Panama City. That’s where musicians and locals go to play music and listen to other bands for free.
We are joined by Jason’s two friends. Jessica, is wearing a pair of navy blue shorts like ball coaches wear with a tank top. She is upset about not being able to get any information about her Federal Pell Grant. “This is why I didn’t want to come back to this school.” she announces in a huff. Every time, I asked that lady a question, she had to call someone on the phone to get an answer.” Jessica, her high school swim team captain, hopes to major in sports medicine. She took college courses during high school through dual enrollment. The easiest classes to ace according to Jessica are Art History and Western Civilization.
“What about me?” Riley, a tall, lanky guy says walking up beside Jessica. I’ve been up here three times this week.” Riley wants to enter the surgical technologist field with the incentive of graduation in 12 months. His choice of profession has resulted in his new moniker, ‘Egor’. Jason offers why they should both register online. Riley says he has tried but couldn’t get the page to download. Jessica makes disparaging remarks about Jason’s Mother doing everything for him. With a parting shot about Riley needing remedial classes because of his low College- Level Academic Skills Test scores. “You know I don’t test well without mocha chino.” he adds in his defense.
Jessica bounds up from the table- headed for the door, calling over her shoulder, to meet at the Java. The Java Hut is a coffeehouse across the street from McKenzie Park, downtown. I ask the guys, who seem less in a hurry, if they were going to drink coffee in this heat.” I receive a look as if I had asked if they ever watched Utube. “You don’t drink coffee at the Java, it’s $5.00 a cup.” They inform with with the exasperation of explaining economics to a two-year old. Guess I’ve been schooled.
