A survey given to 100 CCE students revealed their feelings regarding Guilford in general and their opinions about the traditional students they share classes with. The survey was sent randomly to a variety of CCE students. Some surveys were e-mailed while others were handed out and collected by CCE professors. Most of the survey responses were hand-written and a few were e-mailed back.

The survey took the form of questions and answers in small paragraph form, as opposed to “pick-a-box” or “grade-on-a-scale” in order to obtain the most detailed responses possible.

Each student was first asked their name and grade level followed by two general questions: “What do you like best about Guilford?” and “What issues do you have with Guilford?” These answers are not quantifiable but some common likes and dislikes were present in a majority of surveys.

Most students surveyed said they liked the class sizes, the professors, and the general campus atmosphere.

“(What I like best about Guilford is) the small community feeling of the campus and the people,” CCE sophomore Patricia Wheeler said. “I am always telling people how wonderful Guilford is. Everyone that I have come in contact with seems to truly care about my success. If I ever need anything, all I have to do is call or stop by. The CCE staff, as well as teachers, go above and beyond to help.”

The top five issues that most students said they had with Guilford are parking, professors’ office hours, the fact that Guilford doesn’t offer online courses, scheduling conflicts, and rigid attendance policies.

“I think it would be beneficial for everyone if Guilford eliminated all designated parking spaces except those for drivers who have physical mobility issues,” CCE senior Gabriel Valentine said. “I don’t see the need to separate students and faculty/staff. Parking spaces should be available on a first-come-first-served basis.”

The third question that CCE students answered was “If you’ve been in any classes with traditional students, how was it?” The responses were then classified into six categories. 44 of the 100 responses were positive. The students who enjoyed it said that they appreciated the diversity.

CCE junior Victor Vincent said that the combination of CCE and traditional students makes Guilford great.

“I love a healthy debate and I believe both types of students elevate the discussion in class,” said Vincent. “Traditional students are really intelligent and I enjoy them in my classes.”

21 of the 100 responses were negative.

“It’s a little intimidating at first,” said CCE sophomore Tammy Willard. “It comes down to walking into a room full of people and I’m the odd man out and everyone knows it.”

Many of the negative responses explained that their main problem with traditional students is feeling like the maturity levels are different.

“Each one approaches school different just like the CCE students; some come to class and work hard where others come when they want and don’t pay attention in class,” said CCE sophomore Stephanie Gilbert Thornburg. “Sounds like students don’t change much the older they get.”

18 of 100 said that they had not been in classes with traditional students yet so their responses were “not applicable,” while eight percent had mixed reviews, citing things they both liked and disliked about classes with traditional students.

CCE first-year Cathy Saunders said that traditional students are mostly mature but that she’s been frustrated by students who play in class.

Six percent had general comments which were neither negative nor positive.

“When I leave class, I’m raising a son, I’m mowing my yard, I have a mortgage and bigger responsibilities than just school,” Willard said. “So, my world is different from theirs. And one world is not any better than the other–just different. And, because of that fundamental difference, I always wonder how I’m going to connect to my fellow classmates. Because we all know, there will be a group project.”

Finally three percent said they couldn’t tell the difference between CCE and traditional classes.

The last question asked regarded the attempted merger this year of the traditional and the CCE Homecoming. The merger was unsuccessful, according to CCE SGA president Jessica Butler because the traditional student government never responded to the SGA’s suggestion to possibly hold a tailgate party.

The question was “What do you think about the possible merging of Homecoming with the traditional and CCE students and why?”

54 percent said they liked the idea; 5 percent said it was not a good idea; 29 percent said they were too busy to attend and 12 percent said they didn’t care one way or the other.

“I think it can only benefit the school. Right now there seems to be an almost invisible barrier between the two groups,” said CCE sophomore Tim Ryan. “Some of it, I believe, is CCE students perhaps being intimidated by their younger classmates and the traditional students being unsure of us old people.”

Another student who thought that merging CCE and Traditional Homecoming was a great idea was CCE senior Pamela Hirt.

“It would help to bring the students of Guilford College closer together. We need more of a community atmosphere between the traditional and CCE students,” Hirt said.