By HACC President John J. “Ski” Sygielski
 
Over the past several weeks, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, has received feedback from students expressing disappointment about the reduction in the number of art elective classes being offered in fall 2018.
 
We heard you, and we listened.
 
As a result, faculty and administrators have developed a comprehensive schedule of art classes at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus for fall 2018 and spring 2019 that serve as program electives in the art majors.
 
The following art electives have been added to the fall 2018 schedule:

• ART 131, Painting II
• ART 152, Ceramics II
• ART 172, Jewelry and Metal Design II
• ART 216A, Advanced Crafts: Glass
• ART 216B, Advanced Crafts: Ceramics

 
These additions will be added to the fall 2018 schedule by April 20. For a full listing of art classes offered in fall 2018, please visit:
 
http://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/ClassSchedules/index.cfm
 
In spring 2019, in addition to the required Arts Program classes, the following art electives will be offered:

• ART 131, Painting II
• ART 152, Ceramics II
• ART 191, Glass
• ART 214, Advanced Glass
• ART 216A, Advanced Crafts: Glass
• ART 216B, Advanced Crafts: Ceramics

 
The spring 2019 schedule will be posted on the HACC website on Sept. 24, 2018.
 
In addition to our credit-based offerings, HACC offers several noncredit personal enrichment classes in the arts. Offerings are updated regularly and can be found at: hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/NoncreditCourses/Personal-Enrichment.cfm.
 
 
Why Were Classes Removed?
 
A number of factors contribute to the decision to remove classes from a particular term, including financial aid eligibility, enrollment numbers, costs and a process to guide students to classes that will help them complete programs. Over the last two years, HACC faculty have been working to update program degree requirements for the over 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs offered by the College. These new degree requirements will take effect in the fall 2018 term. 
 
As a result of this review, many programs have reduced or eliminated electives in order to create a more targeted sequence of study. Additionally, federal financial aid can only be used to pay for classes that applies to students’ academic programs. In the case of arts programming, with fewer credits available to students as open electives and anticipated lower enrollment, the decision was made to remove several higher-level art elective courses off the fall 2018 schedule.
 
After the decision was announced, a number of students said they are interested in continuing to take advanced art electives. If these classes fall outside the framework of their declared program of study, they may need to pay for these classes out-of-pocket and expressed a willingness to do so.
 
Enrollments Will Be Reviewed
 
To better assess the demand for electives that do not fulfill a requirement for a program of study in art or another major, enrollment will be monitored on an ongoing basis. If a section fills, the number of students on the waitlist will determine whether additional sections will be added. If a section is low-enrolled, students will be notified by Aug. 13 – two weeks prior to the start of the fall 2018 term – whether the class will be canceled. Low enrollment determinations are made on a class-by-class basis, taking into consideration such factors as credit hours, lecture hours, lab hours, instructional methods and course design. HACC will continue the practice of notifying students on waitlists and students who are enrolled in classes that are canceled.
 
We value and appreciate the feedback that was received. HACC will continue to be flexible in meeting the needs of our diverse student populations. Also, we will remain an affordable choice for all who seek to improve their lives through higher education.
 
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges. HACC offers over 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 19,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.