Thousands of students sign up for GCC winter classes

More than 4,600 students have enrolled in the first winter session that Glendale Community College is offering since it eliminated the session two years ago.

As of Thursday, 4,660 students had enrolled in 185 classes for the winter, said Ron Nakasone, executive vice president of administrative services. The courses run the gamut from anthropology to welding.

College officials did away with the winter session because of state budget cuts, marking the first time the college had eliminated the session since it was introduced in 2002.

The college was able to restore the winter session, which will run from Jan. 6 to Feb. 13, because of an uptick in state education funding this year.

An internal change at the college also helped bring back the winter session.

Under a new agreement reached earlier this year, faculty members will earn 35% less for teaching the shorter winter and summer sessions than they would during the rest of the year.

About 140 faculty employees agreed to those cuts, saving the college $340,000 each year.

Ann Ransford, president of the Glendale Community College trustees, said instructors’ willingness to take a pay reduction is appreciated.

“We’re especially pleased that everyone at the college worked together to make this opportunity for our students,” Ransford said, adding that the winter session gives students the opportunity to obtain credits more quickly. “We appreciate the sacrifice our faculty took to make this available.”

--

Follow Kelly Corrigan on Twitter: @kellymcorrigan.

ALSO:

Three-alarm fire breaks out above Paradise Pastry in Glendale

Cost of Obama visit under scrutiny

Incoming Glendale police chief looks forward to the challenge