ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 9, 1996 TAG: 9612090006
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
The women seated around one table at the Hollins College snack bar don't talk about boyfriends or the next weekend trip to Hampden-Sydney.
Instead, the regular lunchtime chatter is about jobs, families and - increasingly - the future of the program that brought them to the college.
The women are all Horizon students who take classes through a continuing education program for adults. The program started in 1974 and grew steadily until 1993, when it hit a peak enrollment of 127. Since then, the numbers have dropped every year. This year, there are only 78 Horizon students on campus.
That decline is worrisome to current students, and they said there are other signs that the program has lost support among college administrators. Five years ago, adult studies was a separate department with two full-time and two part-time staff members who handled admissions, published a monthly newsletter, held monthly meetings for all Horizon students and taught classes designed specifically for adult students. Today, the program has only a part-time coordinator who works 10 hours a week.
The program was transferred out of a small house which had a lounge for students. After several moves, Horizon coordinator Darlene Richardson is now based in a one-room office with one telephone she shares with the student volunteer coordinator. Two student clubs also use the office, Richardson said.
"It seems like every year there was a little bit less," said junior Sara Hawley.
College officials say Horizon enrollment has declined because of increased competition from other adult programs such as the one at Roanoke College - which has 186 students this year - not an attempt by Hollins to trim its program. Hollins' new president, Janet Rasmussen, issued a statement this week emphasizing her support for the program and her belief that it will grow during her administration.
Horizon students speaking during a recent lunchtime gathering as well as in separate interviews all said they value the education available to them through the program, but they also agreed changes over the past five years have detracted from it.
Jan Thompson, who moved to Roanoke to become a Horizon student this year, said she understands budget pressures but she's concerned that Hollins has only a part-time coordinator when many college are adding staff to support their adult education programs.
Judy Bates, who took classes in the 1980s and returned this year to continue work on her degree, said she noticed the difference. She believes much of what she misses is the chance to meet and talk with other Horizon students because there is no designated gathering place now.
"I do miss the way it was when we had a house," she said. "It hasn't affected my experience at Hollins. I haven't felt anything lacking, but I do see that there was a richness of experience that was there before."
Richardson shares the students' concerns.
"It's like we've been downsized to a club," she said.
"We're not here for fun," added Hawley, who noted that many Horizon students are full-time students.
College spokeswoman Linda Steele said it's not unusual for staff members to share office space on campus, but Horizon students said there are practical reasons for needing their own space. Until they declare their major, Richardson is their academic adviser. She's also a counselor to adult students who may face special problems. All of them are at least 25 years old or have been out of the classroom for at least four years. Many must deal with financial problems, resistance from family members and personal insecurities about returning to school.
"If we leave a message, we never know if she's going to get it," said sophomore Tammy Turner.
And if they do reach Richardson, there's no private place to discuss problems. Richardson frequently brings Horizon students to the snack bar for counseling.
"It's more private here than in her office," Hawley said.
Dawn Skeen, another junior, recently surveyed other Horizon students and found most of them were having trouble getting information on financial aid and special events on campus. She believes the problems were caused in part by Richardson's limited hours.
"I feel lost at times," said Lynne Fisher, a junior in the program.
There are signs that the college is beginning to address student concerns about the Horizon program. Beth Denson was hired this summer in the admissions office to recruit more adult students and step up marketing efforts for Horizon.
Denson said the college fell one short of its goal to recruit at least 25 new Horizon students for the fall semester. She's working to attract at least 12 more for the spring semester.
Horizon students welcomed Denson's arrival, especially since she's a Horizon graduate herself.
"She's the reason I'm here," Skeen said.
"She's a good thing," Turner agreed, "but it ends there."
Horizon students said they have been hesitant to talk publicly about their concerns. For one thing, the program is a bargain. They receive discounts on tuition and and are allowed to pay by the course. That means they pay only about $1,000 per four-credit course, compared to a traditional student's annual tuition of $14,560.
Horizon students said they didn't want to seem critical of Richardson, who they say is their strongest supporter. But Richardson was sympathetic to their concerns and promised to discuss them with president Rasmussen.
So far, Richardson said she hasn't been able to schedule an appointment with Rasmussen. Horizon students said they realize Rasmussen is new and has a lot to absorb, but they're anxious to get some sign from her on whether the program will be a priority.
"I think that's the problem. There's no feel. There needs to be a clear message," Skeen said. "I want this program to be here for other women."
Rasmussen issued a statement this week emphasizing her support for the program.
"Under my leadership, I anticipate growth and stronger communication about the significant advantages of the Horizon program," she said. "We need to do a better job of getting our Horizon students' stories told more broadly in this community."
Rasmussen noted that her assistant is a 1995 Horizon graduate, and she said all of the students she's met have been enthusiastic about the program.
Steele is optimistic the Horizon students' perceptions will change.
"As time goes on and the college continues its efforts to recruit more students, that anxiety will dissipate," she said. "Horizon is a great program, and it's one we really believe in."
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