Heading back to school

Full parking lots, long lines at the bookstore and big crowds in the administration building and financial aid office at Sierra College can mean only one thing. The spring semester officially began Monday.And while the hustle to get to class on time, buy books and add that last second class made Monday exciting for many, others were just excited to get rolling with a fresh course load this term."I'm ready and excited for this new semester," said Rocklin resident Lori Anthon, a third year graphic design major. "This is my final semester at Sierra College. I've applied to Sacramento State for next fall."Entering into its 49th year at the Rocklin campus, Sierra College enrollment has grown 3 percent, to 20,102 full-time students since last year, according to Sue Michaels, the college's marketing director."The numbers are based on full-time students and full-time equivalent students (FTES)," Michaels said. "So we actually have more bodies on campus than reported. FTES combines the units of part-time students to make a full-time student equivalent. So, two students taking six units each will make one FTES taking 12 units."Students are paying a $26 per unit tuition fee this semester, which is up from the $11 per unit price Anthon said she paid when she first began Sierra College.California's budget crunch the past two years has forced community colleges to raise tuition fees."I have financial aid to help me with costs," said Anthon, a single mom of a married 25-year-old and a 17-year-old high school junior. "But, I always look at the costs. My high schooler plans to attend Sierra College in a couple years."Standing in line to pay for text books at the campus bookstore, 18-year-old Christine James of Citrus Heights was a little more worried about money."I didn't take classes last semester. I didn't realize books were so expensive," James said, holding a thick science text donning a $120 price tag, and several others books. It's not too late to enroll in classes at Sierra College. The add/drop deadline for all courses is 2 p.m. Feb. 4. The college's seven week "fast track" courses begin on Jan. 31."I'm ready for classes to start," said James, who signed up for 15 units, and is undecided in her major. "I wasn't the most focused student in high school. But I really think I'm ready for this."