Comprehensive Studies to Offer Three New Classes this Fall

CONTACT: GWEN OWENS, EXT. 2372

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/1/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College will offer three new comprehensive studies classes this fall –a weekend math class for working adults, a basic business math class for persons in the service industry and a calculator orientation class for the traditional college student.

A Pre–Algebra class developed for working adults who can't attend classes during the week will be held on Saturdays. This class is geared toward the many employees who have been out of school for a while and who want to upgrade their math skills. "Many persons have math anxiety," said Hubert McClure, who leads the math department for the Comprehensive Studies Division. "This class is ideal because there will be interaction with the instructor, and we will start out slowly."

The benefit of this class is that employees can upgrade their skills at a time that is convenient, he said. "Most jobs require math skills and a majority of employees who have been out of school for a while have math anxiety. We will whittle away the anxiety without interfering with a job or with family obligations," said McClure. Instructors will be accessible during the week for students who may have questions.

Orientation to Calculators will teach students what type of calculator they need for the various majors at the College. Chemistry and accounting classes require different calculators, as do the arts and sciences classes. The instructor will cover calculator procedures and how to operate different calculators. This seven-and-one-half-week class will meet two times a week on campus. This class will benefit students in all majors.

Another class the Division is piloting is a Basic Business Math class for employees in business and industry. "If a cash register malfunctions, the employee needs to know how to figure the tax on an item, for example. Many employees can't perform basic business transactions, such as percentages, without the use of a computer. This class will address this need," said McClure.

Since 1993 the Comprehensive Studies math class enrollment has almost tripled, said Gwen Owens, who chairs the division. Last fall more than 450 students were enrolled in math classes; there were 400 this spring and around 150 this summer, she said.

For more information, contact Gwen Owens, Ext. 2372, at one of these numbers: Anderson County, 225-2250; Oconee County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Anderson/Pendleton -- 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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