Students of LBCC were delivered a heavy blow last Thursday when they were notified in an e-mail that TRIO Student Support Services for the 2010-11 school year have been cancelled.

TRIO, a program designed to assist low income, disabled and first generation students assimilate to college life, is funded by the federal TRIO Support Services Grant (SSG) through the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C.. Administrators found out last Monday that LBCC’s renewal application had been denied.

According to U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley’s website, over $4 million in SSG’s were awarded to 15 of Oregon’s universities and community colleges. Four programs were cut, including LBCC. Approximately 300 TRIO programs were cut nationwide.

In an e-mail to LBCC staff, Bruce Clemetson, acting vice president of student services, wrote, “We knew that there were insufficient funds to renew all the programs that applied, but firmly believed we had a compelling need for this program in our district.” However, the school has not yet been notified as to why the application was denied.

 The SSG is a four-year grant with an option for a fifth year based on performance. LBCC’s original application filed in 2005 received a 99.7 out of a possible 100 points. The high score put LBCC in the top ten percentile and automatically granted them the extra year of funding.

Terms of the grant require participants to turn in annual progress report providing evidence that schools are satisfactorily meeting project objectives. According to TRIO director Sandra Shinkle, LBCC’s program exceeded their objectives every year.

“That’s why this was such a shock,” said Shinkle.

LBCC first applied for the grant because it would enable the school to address a cohort of students who are challenged by the culture of higher education; to advocate for students that can get lost in the shuffle said Clemetson.

“It helps students succeed while helping the institution learn how to address specific student needs,” he added.

“I was lost. I went to TRIO because I needed help,” said student Carmen Thomas who turned to TRIO as a first generation, non-traditional student.

Not having been in college for over 21 years, she said she had no idea how “college worked.” Three years later and after having worked closely with staff members such as Lynn Groshong, Thomas is preparing to transfer to Oregon State University.

“TRIO was instrumental to my success,” said Thomas. “I might not even have graduated yet if not for TRIO.”

Providing tutoring, counseling and one-on-one goal setting workshops, TRIO has maintained an average retention rate of 80 percent. Having processed several hundred students over the last five years, Clemetson called TRIO’s success rate “phenomenal.”

The 2005 $1.14 million grant garnered an annual budget of $252,000 that supported TRIO staff salaries, student services and resources such as computers and books. At this time, there are no plans to restructure funds to retain staff members or any other portion of the services offered by TRIO.

“There just aren’t any feasible financial solutions,” said Clemetson.

TRIO student Chris Sullivan is not only disappointed the grant did not get renewed, but also feels a loss for students as TRIO staff members who were hired under grant contract are let go.

“Lynn, Kathy, Autumn, and Sandra really worked hard all the time and put in a lot of extra hours when the students needed anything,” said Sullivan.

“It’s people like these that keep students moving forward instead of backward.”

Approximately 80 students who are currently enrolled in TRIO will be absorbed by other support services at the school, including the Learning Center and the Diversity Achievement Center (DAC).

To aid in the transition, TRIO students will be assigned to Valerie Zeigler in the DAC. Although services will be limited, she will be able to provide transitioning students with assistance arranging class schedules and navigating academic processes.

“I would love the opportunity to meet each one of them to help ease this transition, and to assist them to become successful self-directed students,” Zeigler said in an e-mail.

While DAC staff openly welcomes TRIO students to utilize their facilities, for many, the experience just won’t be the same.

Student Viyanna Langager uses the analogy of a football team. She says every team gets its’ own cheerleaders to help root them to victory. Hers, she says, were TRIO.

 “Being part of TRIO was like having my own cheering squad. I feel like the biggest part of my support system is going to be gone.”

Lacey was the Commuter's Managing Editor in 2010.