Danville Community College looks to save fuel costs for students

Danville Register & Bee
Published: July 28, 2008

Danville Community College has taken a major step to help students save on energy costs and get an education.

These steps measures include expanding distance learning classes, reducing the number of class days, offering auto efficiency diagnostic services, and even providing gas cards to students who carpool, DCC president Carlyle Ramsey said.

“The college is very sensitive to the concerns about energy costs to our students and employees,” Ramsey said. “We launched some of these initiatives earlier this year and now we are implementing additional strategies.”

One idea calls for a four-day class week for students in the fall.

In the fall, 94 percent of all DCC course sections will be taught Monday through Thursday. “This means students can select on and off-campus classes that meet Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays with no Friday classes,” Ramsey said.

This schedule includes sections of the popular College Success Skills (SDV 100) course that is required for all program-placed students, as well as developmental studies classes in mathematics and English.

All courses in the Arts and Sciences Division will also be offered on a four-day schedule, Mondays through Thursdays in 2009.

In addition, students will be asked to determine if there is interest in early morning classes.

DCC will have a significant increase in the number of distance learning classes offered this fall.

These are available in a variety of formats that are offered online and through limited in-class instruction where materials are checked out and the student completes the work at home, independent of the classroom.

DCC is offering 37 courses through distance learning in a variety of subjects this fall.

Ramsey says it is important that the college helps students understand their role in conserving energy and programs have been designed to help.

The Share-A-Ride program was started last year, Ramsey says, but with increased fuel costs facing consumers, he expects the program to pick up additional participants.

Ramsey says there will be weekly drawings for $50 gas cards for students who carpool with a minimum of three other students as an incentive.

The Auto Efficiency Diagnostic Services will offer auto efficiency diagnostic services for students’ vehicles and provide workshops and tips on maintaining fuel-efficient vehicles. A contest will be held later for students to name this new service.

“We want students to know that there are steps we all can take to realize energy cost savings,” Ramsey adds.