On November 13, The Associated Student Government (ASG) traveled to the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Montrose campus to discuss possible improvements at CMU Montrose.

During Public Input, CMU Montrose student, Sasha J Wise, came to discuss issues with the classes at Montrose campus.

“There are currently 57 courses offered on CMU Montrose Campus, 25 are offered as specialty or degree specific courses leaving 32 courses. 6 of these courses are BIO with Lab, taking the actual count down to 29. Of the remaining 29, one is a J term Health and wellness course (which is not offered at any other point in the spring term). The count for the courses is now down to 28. There are 5 developmental courses offered, which although necessary, are prerequisites for core classes which need to be complete in the first two years,” Wise said.

“That leaves 23 available courses on the Montrose campus, only one of which is offered twice, English 112. Of the 23 available courses, 4 are offered during regular elementary school hours, 6 are offered during pick up of elementary aged children, and the remaining 13 are offered between 4 and 9pm,” Wise said.

“As a single parent who relies on financial aid, grants and scholarships to help fund school, housing and childcare, the availability of classes offers a considerable hurdle for me. I am lucky to have the opportunity to register for online courses as a supplement but unfortunately, these courses are more costly than the ones on campus and they fill up quickly, often being filled before I can register. I am then put in a position of choosing my schooling and financial aid over my being present as a parent” Wise said.

“On CMU’s website for Montrose Campus it states, ‘you can complete the first two years of coursework at CMU Montrose before completing your degree at CMU Grand Junction.’ I have found this to be almost a bait and switch, I have discussed this issue with other students who have felt the same pressures when choosing their schedules and feel frustrated and almost deceived. All of these factors are affecting retention rates. I see a fairly clear need to vary the times classes are offered, change the types of classes offer or perhaps, offer a way to supplement the Montrose student’s online education in a more meaningful way. I also think that accommodating parents with childcare needs is an issue that needs to be addressed, perhaps Little Mavericks Montrose. Also, we should consider coffee for the campus,” Wise said.

Senior at the CMU Montrose campus, Chris Gibson also addressed Student Government during Public Input.

“My input is a question, why non-traditional students do not get any help with housing. I am going to be homeless and a senior. I just want to know why,” Gibson said.

There was talk about the possibility of using student or private loans to pay for housing. There was also talk about possible scholarship opportunities or using a refund check to pay for housing as well.

“This is a thing we struggle with the Montrose campus, because they are ten years behind. We need to fix that issue first. and then do not even know if Montrose has that but there are people, catholic outreach, as resources to help you find housing. There are resources within the city to find that. We need to start with the little steps to get a dorm building in the works. I think that talking to Gary and seeing if there is something in the city to help with that. They have a student services campus here and let us see what they can help. I am going to call student services to see if they have something more readily available,” Senator Leader Haley Wiedemann.

ASG is planning on holding two meetings at the CMU Montrose campus each semester. ASG President Beau Flores expressed the need to continue representing the CMU Montrose campus and Western Colorado Community College (WCCC).

“I would like for whoever is here after me, to continue to represent Montrose and WCCC will be great. One, we did fund the gym, and we are now in-talks having their own [Programming Activities Council]. When everything gets settled, we will go from there. Just keep thinking about how we can better the campus,” Flores said.

In other news, The EMT club presented a bill requesting funds to help the Winter Warmth Program, where EMT students make care packages for the homeless population in Grand Junction. ASG approved the request for $629.16 in support of the EMT club.

The music department presented a new bill regarding funding for the music department to travel to the Conference for National Association for Music Education (CNAFME).

At a previous ASG meeting, the music department presented Bill 19-18 expressing the need for funding for CNAFME registration, but the bill was tabled indefinitely.

Following a new presentation by the music department and furthering discussion about funding, the bill was passed at $1,080.