The Plainsman Press - South Plains College

Many incoming college students are a little weary of their upcoming college experience. But with The Gateway Program, which is, a “pathway” program offered by Texas Tech University in partnership with South Plains College, they can be excited about experiencing the best days of their lives.

The Gateway Program was started in fall of 2001 by Texas Tech when admission rates began to rise, which made Tech raise admission standards. This caused the university to begin loosing students. The SPC Reese Campus became the location for the program to be offered to students because of its close proximity to Lubbock and Texas Tech.

“The program benefits students who truly want to be Tech students and provides them a way to go ahead and start their academic career and still participate in Tech college life,” said David Jones, vice president of student affairs at SPC.

Those students who apply for admission at Tech but do not reach the admissions requirements are presented with the Gateway Program as a transfer admission option. They can attend classes at SPC and attain certain requirements to then become a student at Tech.

The program is only offered to students for one year. If they don’t meet the certain criteria that must be met for entry into Tech, they are no longer a part of the program.

The program offers a summer Gateway Program in addition to fall and spring programs.

SPC Students get Artsy in Italy
by Jacob Tucker, feature editor

Beautiful villas, green hillsides, and countless historical settings are among the many sites to see in Italy.

Most college students would never have a chance to visit this amazing, historical country.

But during the summer, 10 students from South Plains College accompanied Lynette Watkins, assistant professor of art at SPC, to this place of splendor. What they experienced there will influence their lives forever.

This was Watkins’ third year to teach for the La Romita School of Art in Washington, D.C.

“The La Romita is a private school where students can learn about art and the country that surrounds them,” said Watkins.

The school in Italy was a former monastery dating back to the mid-16^th century. It functioned as a church into the early 19^th century, when it was closed. The monastery was purchased, and in 1966 was turned into a summer art program for Rockford College in Illinois.

“The setting is amazing,” says Watkins. “The students are able to see a fantasyland of beauty offered by Italy.”

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Regents Target Tuition for

Course-Droppers

by Jacob Tucker, feature editor

Tuition increases and the Post art collection were among the main topics of discussion at the October meeting of the South Plains College Board of Regents.

The Regents voted on and approved the proposal for a $75 increase per credit hour for classes taken three times or more.

David Jones, vice president for student affairs, presented the report.

“Some students, for whatever reason, have begun to drop and re-take many of their classes,” said Jones.

The majority of the classes that are being dropped are core classes, such as math, biology, chemistry, and psychology, among others. This trend could have continued if proper action was not taken.

This increase will not affect students who are continuing educational courses in order to retain professional certification. This also exempts students in thesis and dissertation courses, independent study courses, special topics and seminar courses.

Students who are taking courses that involve different or more advanced content each time they are taken also are exempt from the increase. These include, but are not limited to, individual music lessons, theatre practicum, and physical education classes.

“The last thing that we wanted to do is charge the students more for the classes that they need,” said Jones. “This is just what we had to do in order to balance out what funding we get from the state.”

Road Consctruction

May Cause Delays
by Kevin L. Mayer, co-news editor

Students and faculty who normally travel Alamo Road and A&M Lane in Levelland as they go to and from the South Plains College campus can expect detours and delays due to construction.

The City of Levelland recently announced that Alamo Road has been closed from Hickory Street south to A&M Lane. A&M Lane has been closed from Verne Beebe east to Alamo Road.

According to Levelland City Manager Rick Osborne, full closure of the streets will allow for quicker construction on the roads. Osborne expects the construction to last four months.

“Construction should last through Christmas, with roads opening in January,” said Osborne. “These are just old streets that see heavy traffic. With the growth of local schools and South Plains College, the streets also needed to be widened.”

The project begins with drainage work on Cedar Street and Cactus Lake, and will conclude with the widening and reconstruction of Alamo Road and A&M Lane.