Students in deaf studies protest

From: Sacramento Bee - Sacramento,CA,USA - Mar 20, 2007

They say scarcity of Sierra College classes holds up graduation.

Bee Metro Staff

About 15 students protested on Monday the scarcity of classes available for people majoring in deaf studies at Sierra College.

The students held a peaceful protest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to complain that the classes deaf-studies students need to graduate aren't always available.

"If they offer a degree, we have a right to have classes to finish that degree," said Sarah Hoffman, a Sierra graduate who recently obtained an associate degree in deaf studies.

Sue Michaels, Sierra College spokeswoman, said 56 students major in deaf studies at the college and the program has a 90 percent graduation rate.

"It's the community college story," she said. "(Deaf-studies majors) would like to have second-year classes offered more frequently than we can offer them."

Michaels said the college helps students majoring in deaf studies complete their required classes by opening class sections when possible and offering independent study courses when a class is not available.

The problem is just another example of how funding issues continue to plague community college campuses, she said.

"We're very happy they're helping highlight this very important issue," she said.

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