At the Enrollment Management Committee meeting, M.L. Bettino, Dean of Academic Affairs, explained that even though the transfering rate is improving at Cerritos, there is still much to be done.

The committee’s main issues had to do with figuring out ways to improve the transfering and certification rate of students.

“Getting them to make an early decision is important,” stated Dean of Student Support Services Kimberly Westby.

The committee wanted to figure out different methods for students to be aware of the different certificates and programs that are offered at Cerritos College.

Director of Career and Assessment Services,Terri Lopez, suggested to send e-mails to students with links to programs that offered.

The committee showed a strong interest in contacting students through phone or e-mail.

It wants to reach out to the students that stopped coming to Cerritos and will do its best to be sensitive to the reasons they stopped attending college.

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Marilyn Brock said the committee wants to try to find a way to mail, e-mail or call students to remind them that they are only 12 to 15 units away from getting their AA or certificate.

“(The committee) wants to have follow-up phone calls after we send out letters so that the students know we care,” said adviser of Project H.O.P.E. Graciela Vasquez.

It also shared ideas about making college orientation mandatory whether it be in person or online.

That way, students will have more information about the college activities available to them.

“The more communication, the more likely the students are willing try,” Brock shared.

The committee wants to plan to make the assessment tests mandatory for all students as well.

“Things like this require man-power that Cerritos may not have,” Lopez said.