FIORELLO H. LaGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK Math 099: A Stumbling Block for Students by Joan Brennan adequate to fully comprehend, but for Is the Mathematics Department many others the pace seems too focused on the students' needs, MA111 excelerated for a full comprehension." .99 in particular? Are too many Michael Campbell, a fIrst students flunking MA11I.99? What quarter human services student, are ~e of the strategies being used explained , "I would definitely learn to correct the problems? more if MA111.99 was extended over Chairman of the Mathematics two quarters. I feel that 100 much Department, Dr. Roy H. McLeod math work is crowded into one responded to these questions in a quarter." Campbell said "at flfSt it's recent interview. Dr. McLeod stated o.k., then there are 100 many rules to that MA TIl.99 is the second part of a learn at one time." required sequence for students not Helen Morris, a third quarter passing their FSAP (Freshman Skills Liberal Arts student found some of Assessment Program) test. He said the MA TH.99 difficult to understand that four facUlty members were despite the fact she had raken assigned to write the text material for mathematics in high·school. Morris this course. He said,. "The ~lem said, "It is not,totten into eno~h. photo Feder-Smith solving approach is stressed We would learn more ifit was in two throughout the course, students are quarters. " Morris found the micro lab President Shenker encoured to read and make discoveries helpful. she explained "witt. for themselves:. compu&ers your "vc 10 use your own Dr. McLeod tated that some . brains more. Sometimes when a .. Leaves LaGuardia students have problems with teacher is explaining math. It is like mathematics for different reasons. another language." by Chris Somerville moving the college there. One reason being that students are not Dr. McLeod estimates at least Dr. Joseph Shenker will step When President Shenker was prepared in the basics. He said, 10% to 15% of the students repeat asked about his greatest down as president of LaGuardia "Some students have developed a fear MA111.99 once and some repeat Community College on June 30th to accomplishment, he did not name of mathematics and become so twice. He cited a special experiment anything such as Middle College or become president of Bank Street anxious that they fInd it difficult to that is in progress. A team College of Education. the cooperative education program. even enter a mathematics class. comprising of a teacher and a He has been president of But he said, "I think that the thing When asked what other counselor are providing repeating that I proud of is that LaGuardia since the college opened am most facilities there were for math students MA TH.99 students with support in a with an enrollment of 500. The LaGuardia has created this grouping of besides the math lab, Dr. McLeod special class. Dr. McLeod said, "The efforts which effectively serves the college now has an enrollment of over said, "There is the micro lab. It is final results are not yet in on this citizens of New York who come to 16,000 students. two years old and has been a very experiment, but progress reports are us. And I believe in the vast majority As President, Dr. Shenker good supplement to the regular math encouraging. " instituted a comprehensive of cases but not in every case. We are lab." When asked his opinion of a cooperative education program which able to help them with their careers, The ccncem of some students completely computerized program of personal and effectively combined the career and lives, their economic that one quarter is not enough time to teaching in the classroom, Dr. status and that is what I most the classroom into an educational am cover the MA 111.99 course was put McLeod replied, "I am troubled by experience. proud of." to Dr. MCLeod. He explained that that possibility. As important as the While President Shenker has President Shenker spoke with "for some students the time is conl plO no role in deciding who his successor pride about the faculty and the staff by will be, he did say that he is working saying, " I also hope the faculty and with Vice President Martin Moed. staff know how much I appreciate who will be the acting president of their dedication to LaGuardia and its the college. students." "I will be working with him to When President Shenker was make his transition to the presidency asked about the students he again of the college as smooth as possible spoke with pride. "I want them to and with as little interruption in the know how proud I have been to day to day running of the college," represent them in all the places I have said President Shenker. gone. I have·never had the chance to President Shenker hopes that say thank you to the students." when a new president is eventually chosen, helshe will recognize that LaGuardia is a community of people who are all going to work together to solve the problems of the city. According to Shenker, some of the biggest challenges that the new president will have are the budget, completing the new building and spnng 88 1 Letters to the Editor Electoral Board Needs A Light! "Consumer Law Club Student Elections. but it didn't seem & Student Activities: like the students were aware of any election was going on. Student Government. what is it? First of aU, what is Student A Difficult Relationship" What's the pwpose of it? Have you Goverenment? They are a group of Ms. Rodriguez denied that I had ever heard of Student Government? A twelve students elected by you, the approached her again after handing in student coming 10 LaGuardia for the students, 10 represent you in any way the budget first time probably knows as much whatsoever. Problems about being a The following letter is in about Student Government as a student at LaGuardia can be looked reference 10 the annual lunch One may question why I would student who's been here for a year. upon by these twelve individuals, if sponsored by the Conswner Law hand in a budget for the club's event The election for Student Government no one else seems to care. Student Club. Each and every year the CLC or the year and not follow up. Mrs. went on during May 23rd - 28th. Goverenment should have a voice in has this lunch. This year we invited a Rodriquez has lied 10 herself, 10 me You may of spotted a flyer concerning whatever new policies, that are being justice from the Sup[reme Court and a and her superiors. I feel that she owes Student Government, but is that aU implemented here, that might affect representative from the District an apology 10 the CLC and the you might of known. the students. In other words, if Attorney's Office. Upon writing the students of LaGuardia. From Kerry The Electoral Board is LaGuardia wants to raise your Student budget for this event. I was interested Hayes responsible for the promoting of the Activities fee from $25.40 10 $95.40, in comparing prices off campus 10 CONTP1O those offered by the cafeteria. I went off campus 10 receive a bid from Student Gov't. 88-89 Bob's Deli. After receiving the bid FAREWELL from Bob's Deli, I went to Cuts (7.7) from CUNY, student LaGuardia's cafeteria 10 see what they PRESIDENT Editorial government funding, etc. could offer me. The people from the The Student Government of The others, Shirley Daniel, cafeteria informed me that I must SHENKER LaGuardia Community College has Alexandra Depestre, Rodney work through SAC. I then went 10 held another student body election Fenton,Nicholas Katopes. Virender Daisy Rodriguez ( and showed her the which has been a very serious and Jain, Jose MatttinezJacquline budget I had written up. I asked her enlightening campaign. Rodney, Miguel Vasquez, Sergio 10 get me a price from the cafeteria so The editors and staff of "The Of the twenty- two candidates Villaverde, were the independent that I could compare the two prices. Bridge" wish farewell to President running there are twelve positions in candidates. Being new to She said she would. I then approaced Joseph Shenker. As a leader you have government to be filled. campaigning they put on quite an Ms. Rodriguez two days later in the represented such major student issues Students United for Students impressive showing. cafeteria and asked her did she get a as the Deaf Program, the Disabled (S.U.F.S) is the only slate of eleven The major votes of the twelve price. She informed me that she was Students Program and you have candidates aU of whom are from who made it were in the two and three working on something but she would supported increasing the LaGuardia different ethical and cultural hundreds. get 10 it soon. I then waited until the budget. I'm sure when I say you have backgrounds. The S.U.F.S. members l. LOURIE BOSCH - 252 next week and I approached Ms. been a great role model, I speak on are: 2. THOMAS COOPER - Rodriguez again. She informed me behalf of myself and the student body. Lourie Bosch, Thomas Cooper, 240 that I had time and not to worry since We wish you the best of luck in your Joie Fadde, Siggy Gonzalez, Kerry 3. JOIE FADDE - 254 the club fair was going on.