JJC changes little for spring 2021 semester

As another semester comes to a close, the question of what future semesters look like are at the forefront of student’s minds. With COVID-19 cases still on the rise, JJC has decided to remain fully online next semester.

Students have had to contend with this change since the spring semester when JJC transitioned to fully online learning. With online learning comes many challenges.

Studying for online classes takes more time and energy. Most of the time, material is condensed so the workload is heavier than normal. Taking multiple classes online can be extremely difficult to manage.

“I believe I’m getting accustomed to online classes. I think the first semester has definitely better prepared me for the Spring 2021 semester,” David Lozano, student, said. He mentioned that his study habits have not changed.

Since the pandemic started, JJC has helped students with financial assistance in multiple ways. The Student Emergency Fund was established by the JJC Foundation in 2004 to help students facing short-term financial setbacks complete their courses.

Since March, $33,000 was raised to aid students during the pandemic, and more than 90% of the donations came from JJC employees, according to Judy Mitchell, the current president of JJC.

“We have successfully awarded students all of our allotted $2.7 million Cares Act federal funds in addition to new scholarships and student emergency funds through the support of the JJC Foundation,” Mitchell said.
According to Mitchell JJC gained a six-percent increase in enrollment over the summer.

“Yet these gains did not carry over to the fall 2020 semester–we are 12 percent down in enrollment this fall semester due to the pandemic. Since tuition makes up 33 percent of our budget, decreased enrollment does have an impact,” Mitchell said.

Many students are taking less classes amidst the pandemic. Lozano said he is taking one 8-week course and one 16-week course in order to have less work.

When asked about the possibility of returning to campus fully, Mitchell stated a vaccine would have to be readily available.