Pierce Offers Program of Saturday Classes

In an effort to boost enrollment and attract working students, Pierce College plans in January to reintroduce a Weekend College series of Saturday courses, said college President E. Bing Inocencio.

A similar program was attempted nearly 10 years ago and dropped, largely due to a weak response, but Inocencio said the need has increased.

“We have very different demographics now,” he said. “Therefore, we might get a very different response--I hope it’s a positive response--but they can’t come until we offer it.”

The college started offering a handful of Saturday courses last year, but refrained from a large program because some officials worried that students are not interested in weekend classes.

Inocencio said the climate has changed. “I want to increase the opportunity for students to come here,” he said. “I felt that a lot of opportunities have been missed by the college in the past.”

Registration is now being accepted for 36 new courses, ranging from accounting to Spanish. The new schedule begins Jan. 11. Twenty-two classes are transferable to the UC and Cal State systems.

Transferable courses include cultural anthropology, introduction to business, international business and several beginning language courses, as well as mathematics, political science and physical education.

Nontransferable occupational courses include those in numerical control and welding.

Enrollment fees are $13 per unit for California residents. Students must be at least 18 years old, with or without a high school diploma. Minors may attend with parental consent.

Inocencio expects the classes to primarily attract working adults or other students who traditionally enroll in night courses.

“I think we will be filling a niche on Saturday,” Inocencio said.

For information, call (818) 719-6401.