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| Joyce Wambuyi, 2023 - 24 SLCCSA President |
Our society has been grappling with numerous challenges: escalating inflation, job market uncertainty, and socio-political tension. The impact of these factors has made many aspects of life increasingly difficult, as housing crises and soaring prices of basic needs have become pervasive. Regrettably, education has not been immune to these difficulties. Although SLCC students strive for success, many struggle to survive. This struggle has led to a disheartening erosion of their sense of belonging and ability to learn. It is important that our college prevent this trend. SLCC recognizes knowledge gained in college is an asset to our community, especially in such challenging times. Therefore, we are more determined than ever to prioritize student accessibility. SLCC Student Association has identified three guiding questions to support our students in the face of these challenges:
- How can SLCC eliminate, reduce, or create greater transparency about the hidden costs of college?
- How can we reconnect students to campus and find greater value in their time at SLCC?
- How can we enhance the online learning experience, making it both meaningful and accessible?
In anticipation of base costs like tuition and fees, students are working multiple jobs, taking out loans, and applying for scholarships. On top of that they must also support themselves and their families. Although our college is lower cost than most in the state, that is offset by the unexpected costs students encounter after classes begin. Students are unable to plan for the actual cost of college which includes books, parking, course fees, and a myriad of other hidden expenses. SLCCSA believes strongly that accessibility is affordability. By focusing on making SLCC more affordable, we can reduce the financial burden on already struggling students.
Connection Adds Value
Our student body represents the racial and socio-economic diversity of the Salt Lake valley, which deeply enhances the academic and co-curricular environment in which we learn. Essential to an effective and diverse learning environment is the connection a student feels to their school. Regrettably, we have seen a lack in this connection which has left our campus feeling empty. There are many issues that hinder student connection to the college, especially for diverse and first-generation students. We can improve connection by creating fun and inspiring student-centered spaces, stabilizing resources like food services, and increasing visibility and involvement in outstanding campus resources.
Reliable Digital Resources
We are living in a boom in innovative technology; students are more likely to enroll in online classes and use online tools. Some online platforms are hard to access and have minimal guidance in how to navigate them. SLCC currently has two challenges: representation of online students and the accessibility of online tools. Nothing interrupts your day faster than the internet being down, struggling with the basic functions of an online platform, or not being able to find accurate information online. With so many students taking at least one online course, the digital resources at SLCC are remarkably underdeveloped and unreliable. While in some cases this means adding online resources, it is often about making what is online easier. SLCCSA hopes to shed light on these issues by addressing problems with technology and the inclusion of online students.
