The 2002 Fall Semester started bringing with it new hopes, goals, and students.

Approximately 7,054 new students joined Cerritos College including transferred, and re-admit students adds to the current population of 15,353, which brings the grand total to 23,297.

With the number of new students attending Cerritos some would think the college would be prepared for it.

As the students might have experienced this past week the lines for the Financial Aid Office, Counseling, and Admissions and Records were outrageous.

It was like going to a theme park on a hot summer Saturday.

You had to expect to wait at least an hour to an hour and a half in line.

You had walk-in-counseling, which only allowed so many slots to enter between certain times.

The Financial Aid was full of students waiting to process their paper work.

It was a mess and somebody had to say something about it.

Who is responsible for the lack of service, which lead all these problems to come?

The finger is pointed in every direction.

It seems that nobody wants to take credit for this.

The Financial Aid points the lack of people, in order words not enough people.

Admissions and Record has a new boss in charge, so they’re getting their act together, and counseling is just not doing what they are here for.

“I don’t mind saying this, about this but their attitudes towards students needs to change.”…”if you have a problem with the world don’t take it out on the students.” states Vice President of the Associated Students, James Towns.

Of course all can’t just be the school’s fault, students have to take their own share of the blame.

With late enrollment and waiting towards the last minute dose not this situation.

“Maybe if students would take care of their business a little bit earlier than they’re suppose to it could all run a little bit smoother.” said Jennifer Ramirez a Students Service Peer at Admissions and Records.

“I have been here for three years and this is the first time it has been so full” said Angelina Lara, another Student Service Peer.

However with limited time being through around it’s hard to get a heads up.

Example, the financial aid office is only open between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and the counseling office only has enough room for “first came first serve” between certain hour as well.

Here’s a thought for you, what about those students that only come in the evening and night, they might have to work in the morning and can’t make it at the time.

What should they do?

“I tried to work with them, but they just give me the run around.” says Sara Mayorga, President of the Associated Students.

It’s time to take actions.

Let the school know what you think of this, and what you’re going to do about.

“The students have more power then they think, if you have a problem get involve, come to the Associated Student meetings on Mondays,” said James Towns VP.

I leave you with this final though “If you had to choose between post office service or the service you’re paying for, get you’re money’s worth.