Verde Student expresses concern with so few students on Verde campus; shifting programs to Prescott; disconnect between College and citizens

Yavapai College student Judy Jaaskelainen expressed her concern with the absence of students on the Verde campus and an absence of local citizens connecting with the College in a letter to the editor on October 17 in the Verde Independent.

Ms. Jaaskelainen wrote that she attended the Art and Craft Fair held last Saturday on the Verde campus where there were many artists and crafts-person booths inside and outside at the Mabery Pavilion. They included booths showing fine jewelry, sachets, pottery, candles, books, scarves, paintings, glass art, beaded jewelry, fabric items, and more. There was also a booth set up for children to decorate items using potato stamps and also a face painting booth.

Adding to the event were onstage local musicians, Wendy Harford and Jo Agostinelli, who sang original songs and Dave Rentz. In her words:

I am sad to say, the attendance to this event was very poor. I was the ONLY person sitting in the rows and rows of chairs arranged for the anticipated audience. And there were very few people shopping at the art and craft booths.

 I have been a student at this campus for about 13 years, taking various computer classes and art classes each semester. I remember when there were so many people attending classes at this Clarkdale campus of Yavapai College that we had to stand in line for 10-15 minutes to grab a sandwich or a snack from the campus snack bar.

I attend a class now on Wed. afternoons. I am amazed at how few people are walking around campus.
I plan to contact Ruth Wicks and others who are attempting to “fix” whatever is wrong with our campus to see how I can help with their endeavor. With the nursing program and other pertinent programs having been shifted over the mountain, we need to focus on getting them back.

The money invested by the residents of our community should be used to further the education of the young people graduating from our local high schools, including those who want to be nurses.
Something is not right when people in the community do not attend a free, fun event at their Community College.

Apathy is unacceptable but understandable when the people do not feel a connection nor commitment to their local college.

Ms. Jaaskelainen’s letter to the editor in full can be found by clicking here, which will take you to the Verde Independent.