Friday, May 10, 2002
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Friday, May 10, 2002 |
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College and city prove a good fit By JANET
McGREGOR
The word of the week at Georgia Military College in Union City is reason. Students and faculty at the community college are challenged to use the word as often as possible in their lessons and papers. Little, fun ideas like having a word of the week may be one of the reasons the GMC is the second fastest growing junior college in the state of Georgia. Another reason for the school's success may be the relationship the college enjoys with Union City. Close to three years ago Jim Price, director of GMC Atlanta Campuses, approached Mayor Ralph Moore and the City Council regarding the possibility of utilizing empty space in the old Union City Elementary School for college classes. The main GMC campus is in Milledgeville; Price had been charged with running the Ft. McPherson location and had initiated a program of expansion and community involvement in the metro Atlanta area. Coincidentally, City Administrator Sonya Carter, Moore and the council had already discussed the possibility of extending an offer to GMC. The recreation and police departments were in the school at the time, but the Police Department was moving into its own new building and space was available. Things moved fast once the two parties started talking and, with the approval of the City Council, GMC opened its doors for students within a few short months. "We were looking to partner with communities to expand educational opportunities. That is really the major way we have of keeping our programs affordable and convenient to the community," said Price. "The Union City leadership was quick to demonstrate it means what is says when it describes itself as 'The Progressive City.' They acted on the partnership initiative quickly." Union City provided the facility rent-free to the college with the joint understanding that at some point in the future it would be more self-sustaining. GMC pays utilities and maintenance for its portion of the building and has also contributed over $50,000 for building improvements. The college occupies approximately 30 percent of what is now the Community Activities Center for Union City. The Department of Recreation currently occupies the remainder of the facility. The relationship the college enjoys with the city may be unique, according to Price. An additional partnership with the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce and East Point may make the relationship the college has with the local community truly unique. "Working with East Point Mayor Patsy Jo Hilliard and the South Fulton Chamber, we are able to provide students graduating this year their first quarter of college tuition-free," Price stated. Graduating students, and those who obtain a GED during the same relative timeframe, are eligible. They must attend fulltime and start GMC in the fall quarter. The community college has over 200 traditional and nontraditional students from all walks of life attending day, evening and weekend courses. Students from Fulton, Fayette, Coweta, Clayton and other metro Atlanta counties take advantage of the conveniently scheduled classes. GMC has the capacity to handle up to 400 students in its current location. Although the word "military" is included part of the school's name, the school is a traditional community college. "It is a significant advantage to be associated with the military; however, it can be confusing for students. There are no military obligations for students, we area a traditional civilian community college," said Price. "We do however, have an exceptionally strong character program we believe strongly in the adage, 'We do not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate anyone who does.'" The college does not offer any military courses. Low tuition and high academic standards are two other reasons the school has become a popular alternative for students seeking an Associate Degree. "The partnership with Union City is one factor that enables us to have an academic program that will transfer to any four-year college while keeping the cost exceedingly affordable," said Price. Tuition for Georgia residents attending fulltime, with grants, is only $377 a quarter. Students qualifying for the HOPE Scholarship attend tuition free. Associate Degree programs include Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Education, General Studies and Pre-Nursing. The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. "We are attempting to be as user-friendly as possible but I don't want any student, or anyone, to ever confuse convenience and easy," Price stated emphatically. "There is a lot of hard work involved in getting a college degree." GMC also works closely with local law enforcement, catering class times and dates to accommodate the rotating schedules of police and other public servants. GMC has partnered with the Atlanta Police Academy to offer courses on location at the Academy. Currently 23 are enrolled for the fall quarter. In October, the Department of Recreation is slated to move into a new community center being built next to Mayor's Park in the city. Union City and GMC are discussing the option of the college taking over the remainder of the building once the Rec. Dept. departs. "We are looking at it strongly right now, although it is early in the process. Union City has shown they are very committed to GMC, we have been treated like a true partner in the community," said Price. "Our assessment of the community tells us that more students are out there; the problem is getting the word out." He continued, "As people realize we're here, and open to everyone, that capacity will fill up quickly." GMC is also exploring the idea, with the City, of developing a university center at the current location. Price is in discussions with four-year colleges and colleges offering Masters Degree programs. He noted the talks were in the "very, very early stages."
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