The tension between traditional students and CCE students was something I was oblivious to when I began my education in the CCE program in the fall of 2001. Since then, I have become familiar with the issues that traditional students have with the CCE program, ranging from tuition prices to whether classes that are limited to CCE enrollment are less academically challenging than those open to the entire student body. On behalf of the CCE student body, I would like it to be known that the program is not set up for CCE students to take advantage of the higher education system. The program on campus is almost completely government funded, which cuts the cost of our tuition. Government supported programs make it affordable for adults to make the decision to continue their education.

The average tuition bill for a CCE student is approximately $2,531.40. In order to pay tuition most CCE students work full-time in addition to supporting families. There are certain responsibilities that can’t be put on hold because we want to continue our education: mortgage/rent payments, electric bills, phone bills, car payments, medical insurance, child care expenses are some of the the basics that have to be covered.

Without supplemental support from government funds, we would not be able to obtain the degree that we need to make us more successful. Through previous work experience most of us learned the hard way that if we are not marketable we will not be successful in our careers or with our financial situations.

There should not be an issue about how academically challenging evening classes are because there is really no basis for an argument. I have taken both day classes and night classes and both types have been equally challenging.

The biggest reason that evening class enrollment has to be limited to “CCE students only” at times is to accommodate working CCE students. Most of them work eight to ten hours per day and don’t get off until 5 or 6 p.m.

Last year there were approximately 900 students enrolled in the CCE program, of which 55% took evening classes only; 24% took day classes only, and 21% took a combination of day and evening classes, according to the Guilford College Catalog.

Guilford College is not your typical college campus, to say the least. The campus has had a long tradition of diversity, pioneering the first adult education program in 1953 and starting the Early College program in the fall of 2002 shows the institution’s commitment to diversity.

Seeing a blend of cultures, races and age groups on campus gives me a sense of growth because I feel like I should not be judged on anything but my commitment to be here and complete my education.

Having high-school aged students and traditional-aged students in my classes has given me the ability to be able to see the world with a broader perspective and I can respect the views of many, instead of the opinions of a few.