Sunday, August 24, 2003

By Beth Hope-Cushey, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Waynesburg College, California University of Pennsylvania and Washington and Jefferson College are putting students' needs and requests at the top of the to-do list.

Majors and minors have been added to college curricula because of students' requests. And more students will enjoy modern technology facilities and housing.

Programs have been added to better serve students' needs, including those in the work force or those looking to change careers.

Here is a summary of what students can expect on the local campuses:

CALIFORNIA

First day of classes: Tomorrow

Enrollment: About 4,394

What's new: It seems as though group showers in dorms are a thing of the past and privacy is in vogue. The Jefferson off-campus housing opens this year, and it includes private baths within the rooms.

Construction is under way for a new on-campus residence hall that also will include a private bath and various room combinations.

To satisfy students' request, the university has added a leadership minor in the criminal justice program. Students will learn the seven habits of highly effective people in the new minor.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON

First day of classes: Wednesday

Enrollment: About 1,250

What's new: Students will have the latest technology at their fingertips in the $18.5 million Vilar Technology Center. The center includes 200 computer workstations, "smart" classrooms and a video conference center.

In staying with the theme, a technology leadership major that began in 2000 has shown a surge in popularity. The new program combines technology with a specific liberal-arts field. If a graphic-arts student entered into the program, he or she would learn to understand the application of technology to the graphic-arts field.

WAYNESBURG

First day of classes: Tomorrow

Enrollment: About 1,110

What's new: Three new residence halls open to house 156 students. The South, West and East halls are equipped with double rooms and private baths.

Off-campus students and students in the work force will benefit from new programs at the college and at the Southpointe Campus in Cecil.

Two second-degree programs are available for professionals looking to change careers or who have lost their job because of the sluggish economy.

An accelerated nursing program is available for students who already have a bachelor's degree. A student can earn a bachelor's of science in nursing in only three semesters.

Someone with a bachelor's degree in any field and wishing to enter into teaching may do so with the master of arts teaching program at Southpointe. The accelerated program gives an opportunity to those in the work force to change careers by taking the course in the evening.

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