C-SPAN at ACC's Northridge Campus

Cable network C-SPAN drew a crowd of students at Austin Community College's Northridge Campus as student government officers seized the opportunity to spotlight important issues.

C-SPAN's Oct. 11 visit to Northridge in a decked-out studio bus as part of the "Road to the White House" tour put students on camera and brought attention to the campus on a sleepy Thursday afternoon.

During interviews, officers expressed their support for community colleges as the primary engine of economic development, and encouraged potential viewers of C-SPAN's coverage not to ignore the impact city colleges have among their communities.

The event also gave student government officials the opportunity to test the waters for their child care policy package by distributing surveys asking students how they rate the importance of campus child care, and whether such facilities would influence their decision to continue their education at ACC.

During meetings throughout the semester, the Student Government Association has deliberated expanding ACC's child care facilities in preparation for a formal vote and adoption of a subsequent resolution.

The Children's Laboratory School at Eastview Campus, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is currently the only child care facility at ACC. The facility serves as a preschool for children of students and families around Austin and a demonstration school for ACC's Child Development Department.

"It is a huge issue, and I think it is an important issue; but it is an issue that is unfortunately larger than ACC," said Dawn Leach, manager of the Children's Laboratory School. "Child care is a community issue … it's honestly bigger than just the college in that Texas does not have funding for subsidies for child care."

Andrea Hinojosa, non-traditional student senator, is chair of the committee established by SGA to research and propose recommendations.

"Seven out of 10 surveys are in favor of child care," said Hinojosa, although specifying that the numbers are only tentative. "[The Board of Trustees] see parking as the big issue…but I want them to be aware that this is an issue."

"Anything that would make it easier to go to college should be the first priority," she said.

According to Hinojosa, SGA's position holds that there should be a facility on each campus accessible to any student.

Currently, due to waiting lists and the preference given to students below the poverty line, many other students such as the working poor, or students who make enough not to qualify as being in poverty but still struggle to support themselves, are caught in a "Catch 22" situation, according to SGA's Director of Communications Brad Burnett.

"We can kill three birds with one stone," said Hinojosa. She hopes that an expanded program can provide child care to faculty, students, and provide jobs for students involved in the Child Development Department.

Although there is widespread support for the program, SGA is moving cautiously during talks of expansion due to the major challenges involved with creating new facilities that can provide a safe and stimulating environment.

Student Government President Josh Whitcomb expressed skepticism in developing child care outside Eastview.

"There's nowhere to get the funding right now," said Whitcomb. "But we'd like to make that a reality."

Child care programs are expensive and due to liability issues involved with child care, major hurdles will have to be overcome, according to Hinojosa.

Regardless, there is a general majority consensus among the student government, although there has not been an official vote, according to Rio Grande Sen. Margaret Drake-Studstill. Rep. Hinojosa said that the Full Time Faculty Senate has also expressed their support.

"They are 100 percent with me on this," she said.