Three new upper-division higher education courses will be
offered this semester in an expansion of the University Center at
Gavilan College. Local residents can enroll in three San Jose State
University education courses as the University Center, which
offered one SJSU course last semester, builds on its success.
Three new upper-division higher education courses will be offered this semester in an expansion of the University Center at Gavilan College. Local residents can enroll in three San Jose State University education courses as the University Center, which offered one SJSU course last semester, builds on its success.
“The students who did it last (semester) were very happy with it,” said Jan Bernstein Chargin, Gavilan’s public information officer. “We see the program expanding, bringing in complete degrees and, in the future, different subjects.”
Each of the three SJSU classes – CHAD 102, Development of Self in a Culturally Diverse Society, EDUC 157, Community Action, and SOCS 177, Society and Education – meets one afternoon a week on the main campus in Gilroy.
“So they’re perfect for people who are … working,” Chargin said.
The classes may be used toward degrees other than education, she said.
They are open to students who are enrolled at SJSU. In addition, students who are enrolled in at least six units at Gavilan College may cross-enroll for one SJSU class by completing an application and paying a $10 cross enrollment fee.
Gavilan and SJSU officials hope that by bringing higher education to the community college, they are removing the distance barrier that keeps many students from pursuing the classes or career that they want.
Sometimes, Chargin said, students who earn their Associate of Arts degree from Gavilan are unable to transfer and continue their education because they have family and job responsibilities here in Gilroy and they cannot afford either to move or to commute.
“It’s a really win-win situation,” Chargin said, “Gavilan College can provide additional learning resources for students; San Jose State can increase their accessibility by bringing their program into the community, and students win by having access to a bachelor’s degree without having to commute or leave the area.”
Gavilan also is expanding the University Center program to its Hollister campus through a partnership with California State University at Monterey Bay for the first time this semester, offering two upper-division business courses.
Registration for spring semester classes is under way until classes start Monday, Jan. 26. Late registration will run from Jan. 26 through Friday, Jan. 30.
For more information about the SJSU classes, contact Marlene Bumgarner at 848-4805.
For more information about the CSUMB class, contact Sandy Hale, chair of the school of business at CSUMB, at sa********@***mb.edu
