Learning Center Budget Loss Creates New Access Times

LBCC's Learning Center (2nd Floor) and Library (1st Floor)

            With the current semester came some unfortunate financial blows to the Learning Center. The demand for the Learning Center is down, they have had to dismiss a staff member. 
             This loss has caused a need for a tightening of access time to the center due to a lack of teacher to student ratio. With a lower on campus student population comes a lack of funding provided for faculty to hire staff for student needs. This has caused some concern with students who are arriving to campus for earlier than the new opening time.

            Prior to the change, these students enjoyed roughly a half hour window of time utilizing the Learning Center and its staff.

            Either in study time, contacting tutors, or using the facilities various computers and printers, many of these students are claiming a lack of needed time to pursue their academic endeavors.

Students hard at work in LBCC's Learning Center.

            Miranda Prince, a student here at LBCC who has previously worked five years at the Albany Campus help desk within the Learning Center said, “If students are stuck here due to bus scheduling, then the Learning Center being open to accommodate them would be in everyone’s interest. The staff wants to help the students. The unfortunate reality though is if the money is not there for the budget; it’s just not there.”

            Along with the early morning time cut, the Learning Center has also been forced to shut its doors on Tuesday and Thursday at the new time of 7 p.m. which is a significant decrease in time. Prior to this the learning center was open to 9 p.m. on those days.

           Carlena Weeks, a clerical specialist at the help desk who remembers when the Learning Center hours were more expansive and still open on Saturdays said, “After losing a contracted staff member due to budget loss it was decided by the Learning Center staff to condense access time to the Center. It is important to have enough contracted workers to ensure the staff can meet the required needs and also keep the information desk open. The information desk controls door access to the Learning Center.”             
           While there may not be much that can be done over low enrollment, and therefore less money to supply the Learning Center budget, the staff maintains hope.

ChareaneWimbley-Gouveia; Faculty/Department chair, Learning Center Co-coordinator

            

           “Student access and resources are what the Learning Center is all about,” said  Chareane Wimbley-Gouveia, a learning Center coordinator. "If the need is academic instruction then we will find a way to meet it if possible. The Learning Center and the Library Leadership teams are collectively looking at ways to increase services without an increase in budget cost. If we could establish what services or access the students are looking for at the timeframe before 8 a.m., then we may be able to meet them. Again, we know students both need and enjoy the facility. The unfortunate truth is we simply do not have it in the budget.”

            While there looks to be little immediate change in the Learning Centers timetable; There may be additional changes in other services they provided. The efforts to continue to meet the student academic needs by the Centers faculty can be helped by your suggestions and dialogue with the Learning Center coordinators and Library coordinators.

Richenda Hawkins: Library Department Chair and Librarian           

At a glance:

If you wish to speak with the coordinators please contact any of the following LBCC members

ChareaneWimbley-Gouveia; Faculty/Department chair, Learning Center Co-coordinator

Email: wimblec@linnbenton.edu

Phone: 541-917-4691

Cheryl Dingman: Circulations and Course Reserves Coordinator

Email: cheryld@linnbenton.edu

Phone: 541-917-4678

Richenda Hawkins: Library Department Chair and Librarian

Email: hawkinr@linnbenton.edu

Phone: 541-917-4641

Learning Center
"Winter Term Hours"
(service hours vary.  See each area for current hours of operation)
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Learning Center Testing is available during all open hours; tests must be started at least one hour before closing time!

Winter Term Closures:
The Learning Center will be closed on Mon., January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Mon., February 17 for Presidents' Day.