A tale of two colleges
Kirkwood vs. Kegwood (April 28, 2011)
By Adam Wesley
Much has been made of Kirkwood Community College's record enrollment over the past few semesters. However, many of these students are not enrolled at Kirkwood; instead they attend class - occasionally - at "Kegwood Community College." Students attending Kegwood are apathetic and lackadaisical toward their education. These students view their enrollment in college as an avenue for financial aid, to get their parents off their back or, most likely, just to party. The concept of education is lost on these "students."
Enrollees at Kegwood do not grasp how good of a college they are missing out on. Sure, Kirkwood can feel similar to high school, and yes, some of the teachers contribute to this. You would also have to be a fool not to admit that technology on campus has more than its fair share of problems. However, overall, Kirkwood is a quality college which provides excellent value for the money. Kirkwood enrollees understand this and, furthermore, they understand that what they put into their Kirkwood education determines their experience.
One of the most complained about aspects at the college is the teachers. However, in earning my associates degree in Liberal Arts here, I have had only one teacher I disliked and I know many other students who have had similar experiences. Why the disparity?
Well, we followed the formula of picking classes that interested us, with teachers recommended by either friends or faculty. Think of class registration like a restaurant buffet; no one blindfolds themselves, picks up a spoon and goes to town on the buffet. Yet Kegwood students sign up for classes in effectively the same manner.
The other major complaint by Kegwood attendees is overtaxing classes. I recall being asked by a disheveled student next to me on a Wednesday afternoon to essentially give him the answers to a quiz. His justification for the rejected request was his raging hangover due to a beer and bowling extravaganza the night before. Really? It seems the root of the problem here is not the class being too hard but college students wanting the freedoms and benefits of adulthood without any of the responsibilities.
However, I am not a member of the fun police. I readily admit to hitting the bars hard. Partying is a fundamental part of college - all work and no play really does make Jack a dull boy. But being unable to function in class due to a bender the night before has consequences. Accept them, or don't partake in said bender. I learned this the hard way, though not at college. In one instance, I missed my train in Japan due to a 5 a.m. karaoke party - Kampai!
Students who ascend to adulthood by balancing their social lives and academic responsibilities will result in Kirkwood getting a lot of transfer students from Kegwood. And that's the enrollment number that really counts.
Questions:
1)What is the author’s main argument? Do you primarily agree or disagree? Why?
2)What specific steps can be taken to get more students to transfer from Kegwood to Kirkwood?