2020-21 college calendar approved
Paris Junior College
Paris Junior College remains a national leader in many areas, according to Dr. Clifton Wilkerson, a PJC regent who attended the recent national meeting of the Association of Community College Trustees. He presented his report to fellow regents at a meeting held Monday, Oct. 28.
“I attended a session on enabling student success through technology collaboration,” said Wilkerson. “Once I got there, I heard it was something we’re already doing, so I was proud of our group.”
He also reported on initiatives for helping at-risk students, as Amarillo College does, with an emergency fund to help with unexpected emergencies such as car repair or childcare and having all faculty and staff participate in a poverty simulation.
Wilkerson passed on what he learned of a generational shift where students who have come of age using smartphones lack basic computer skills and can’t type. Ten years ago, the average college student could type 32 words a minute, and now it’s below 22, according to Wilkerson. That’s important Wilkerson said, because it’s below the threshold of typing fast enough to keep up with thought without having to look for the next key and lose that train of thought. This is affecting organization and writing skills.
‘Engaging the distracted’ was a session attended by all the attendees, including PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.
“The Gen Z’s and millenials believe they can multi-task,” said Anglin. “They challenge authority, crave recognition and have a short attention span - only about 27 minutes, and they are active learners.”
In other business, the Regents received a financial report from Controller Keitha Carlton that PJC is closing out the financial year and expects the auditing team to arrive in a couple of weeks.
The board also approved the 2020-2021 college calendar, setting important dates for semester starts and other deadlines. The calendar is aligned with Texas university schedules.
Private offers for two tax foreclosed properties in the City of Paris were also approved by the board,
The Regents discussed lack of representation and PJC votes on the Lamar County Appraisal District Board of Directors. PJC has 229 votes out of 5,000 but 28.5% of collection expenses.
The board also accepted the employment of Andrea Perry as Student Success Coach in Advising and Counseling effective Nov.
11.