E D U C A T I O N Students in manufacturing-related fields learn in a 'factory of the future': Welding with a robot teaching can be a special challenge. "Some teachers have an idea of standards below which they will not go. Others are very talented in teaching to a wide range of abilities," says Hanke at SFCC. Since they don't have to conduct scholarly research or publish, the Spokane teachers insist that they can concentrate their energies on teaching. A group from the faculty, for ex- ample, is seeking funding for an experi- mental program to teach critical thinking in the liberal-arts classes at SFCC. Spokane funnels every student through an assessment program. Those who have any thought of moving on to a four-year college deal with a counselor and a detailed work sheet each semester to be sure they are earning credits that fit transfer re- quirements. Students also take advantage of a variety of remedial and skill-develop- ment programs, including preadmission literacy clinics for those who cannot read or write but want to earn a high-school diplo- ma by taking the GED examination. Commuter schools: Since the Spokane col- leges are commuter schools, campus life is hard to maintain. "Nobody lives on cam- pus, so if we get 100 people at a dance we'd be really happy," says Eric Russell, presi- dent of the student government at SFCC, which has a nationally recognized jazz band. The biggest issue on campus may be the state's decision to cap enrollment in all of Washington's community colleges, which has meant a decrease in the number of class offerings and cutbacks in services such as library hours. But with so much turnover in the student body, students complain that there isn't enough continu- ity of leadership to get much accomplished. The two colleges even look different. On the west side of town, SFCC's campus has modern, one- or two-story buildings. SCC is located in the center of town, where the cavernous hangarlike buildings easily ac- commodate automotive equipment, robots and other large machinery. By noon most students on both campuses have finished their classes and have left for work-leav- ing the campuses nearly empty until the evening students arrive. Partly to convince taxpayers that they should support more funding for communi- ty colleges, the Spokane system maintains a strong connection to local industry. At SCC, for instance, where about 70 percent of the students pursue vocational train- ing, school officials opened an innovative computer-integrated manufacturing cen- ter-a "factory of the future"-in 1986. Students in manufacturing-related studies from electronics and robotics to data proc- essing and business learn their fields by working with a product from the time it is designed or refined on a computer to the time it reaches the customer. Aside from the teaching, it is the nurtur- ing environment in the classrooms that students say they like most about commu- nity colleges. Sue Pemberton, 52, decided to attend SCC after her marriage of 20 years failed. "At the time of my divorce I thought I could make it. Then I got out there in the working world and discovered that I was about 15 years behind," says Pemberton. At first she just wanted to attend a techni- cal program that would give her some skills. But the supportive atmosphere gave her the confidence to go for an A.A. and then try to transfer to Eastern Washing- ton. "The classes are so much smaller at a two-year school, and you have the opportu- nity to be a person rather than a number. I decided that I don't care if I am 52," says Pemberton, "I have a future ahead of me." CONNIE LESLIE in Spokane Value Received College Costs espite soaring fees, most students think they get good educational val- ue for their money. They also have clear feelings about how colleges should and should not cut costs. How would you compare the edu- cation you are getting with that in your parents' generation? 62% Better 7% Worse 25% About the same How reasonable is your tuition compared with the education you are receiving? 48% Reasonable 32% Not as reasonable as it should be 14% A bargain 5% A rip-off Should the federal government provide more scholarship money for students who show need? Even if it meant increasing federal taxes? 70% More even if higher taxes 22% More only if no higher taxes 5% Should not provide more money Should the federal government make available more money to back student loans? 65% More even if higher taxes 21 % More only if no higher taxes 11 % Should not provide more money If colleges had to cut costs to lower tuition, what area would you most favor cutting back? Which would you least favor? MOST LEAST FAVOR FAVOR Eliminate intercolle- giate sports such as football and basketball 33% 7% Cut down on campus food service 25% 1 % Reduce books and software purchases forlibraries 10% 12% Cut down on repairs and maintenance 9% 7% Give professors little or no salary increases 5% 25% Reduce the number of faculty and increase class size 5% 42% (MULTIPLE ANSWERS ACCEPTED.) For this NEWSWEEK ON CMPUS Poll, The Gallup Organi- zation conducted 542 face-to-face interviews with college students on 100 campuses nationwide during the period Nov. 2-13,1987. Themargin oferroris plusorminus6 points. "Don't know" responses are eliminated. The NEwswEEx ON CAMPUS Poll © 1988 by NEWeWEEK, Inc. d I 22 NEWSWEEKONCAMPUS MAY 1988