How the Gainful Employment Rule Pressures Community College

It all started when Lane Community College in Oregon decided to offer a non-credit course titled "What is Islam?" The instructor of the course, Barry Sommer, had applied to teach a class in Islam for the community college, which the college accepted. However, before the course had a single sign-up, the college put the brakes on the offering. School officials learned some potentially disturbing facts about Sommer and decided it was best to nip the brewing controversy in the bud.

The Facts

Eugene resident Barry Sommer applied in October of this year to teach a class on Islam at Lane Community College. The school typically offers non-credit courses for interested students throughout the year, many of which are taught by qualified community residents rather than college professors. According to a report at World Net Daily, approval for the course came, and Sommer began preparations for teaching. When the course went online on the college website, Sommer also sent out a press release to alert others to his offering.

Once the details were announced, a local news station asked to interview Sommer. As the course became more public, so did Sommer's background. The Sommer may have been involved in organizations that were perceived as anti-Islamic. Once the news spread that Sommer was a potentially controversial figure in the Islamic community, Lane pulled the plug on the course.

This short video offers an overview of Islam.

Students who wish to earn a four-year degree but have limited funds to pay for a university have often been in a quandary over how to pay for their education. Some begin their college careers in less expensive community colleges, hoping to transfer to a four-year college once they earn their associate's degree. To expand the options for these students, some community colleges are teaming up with four-year institutions to simultaneously provide dual enrollment at both schools. We'll tell you how this dual enrollment works and the benefits and highlight some of the schools already using this model.

This video explains the dual enrollment program at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

What is Dual Enrollment?

Students pursuing the dual enrollment option actually simultaneously enroll in a community college and a four-year university. The student must be accepted into both schools before completing the dual enrollment. In most of these programs, students can take courses from either institution and tuition rates are based on the college where the course is offered. In addition, students have access to facilities and services at both colleges, expanding their options in additional activities and resources.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

There are many potential benefits of the dual enrollment model, including:

• Simplified admission process that allows students access to both colleges with one application
• Course planning and advising is coordinated for a more efficient degree track
• Financial aid

Leisure has become a multibillion-dollar business in the United States, with camps, cruises, and other recreational activities gaining steam across the country. As the industry grows, so does the need for qualified professionals working in the various aspects of leisure and recreation. To answer the call, community colleges are beginning to offer degrees in "leisure" to help those interested in this profession get started on a lucrative, rewarding career.

About the Leisure Industry

Recreation workers deal with a wide range of environments and duties, from organizing arts and crafts at a children's camp to running organized sports leagues for corporations or communities. Jobs may be seasonal or permanent, and the large majority of positions are part-time. Because competition is stiff for full-time positions within this industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, additional education and training can go a long way in helping you secure the position you want.

Recreation employees may work in a wide range of settings, including:

• Cruise ships
• Nature parks
• Summer camps
• Community centers

While many employees in this industry spend many of their working hours outdoors, directors and managers primarily enjoy a desk job, organizing activities, and managing staff from an office. The employment outlook for this industry is good, with faster than average growth expected in many areas.

This video reports on the recreation and leisure services programs at Georgian College.

Training in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Community

Many students join the military after high school to pay for post-secondary education after their service is complete. However, veterans moving from active service to a college environment often have more than a bit of difficulty making the transition. To help the process, numerous community colleges are providing the support veterans need to have a successful college experience.

Creating a National Model in Arizona

According to a recent report in the East Valley Tribune, five Maricopa community colleges will offer more services to the veterans who enroll after active duty. The East Valley Veterans Center is slated to open in January 2011 and will serve the campuses of Chandler-Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gateway, and Rio Salado. The center will offer a convenient, centralized location for veterans entering one of these colleges to find out about benefits, admissions, and services available to them.

Yvonne Lawrence, the coordinator of the recruitment program for military education at Rio Salado College, told the Tribune that the basic idea behind the center is to simplify the college process for veterans.

"We’re basically trying to cut some of the red tape in getting veterans enrolled, getting them access to their educational benefits from the VA and reintegration from active-duty service to civilian life," Lawrence said.

The Arizona center will be staffed by four full-time members plus part-time staff as needed. The center will also provide work-study positions so that student veterans can work in office positions while attending