New program will offer fee-based community courses

By Clyde Noel, Town Crier Staff Writer

The Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees approved a request for Foothill College to offer fee-based classes at its Middlefield campus beginning this fall. Currently, no fee-based community education classes are offered in the immediate Palo Alto community or at the Middlefield campus.

The program will be titled “Foothill College Community Education at Middlefield Campus.”

The curriculum will provide classes that serve the local community more effectively. The program will begin with only nine classes this fall but expects to expand the offerings as necessary.

The fall classes include an H&R Block income tax course; a financial management workshop for women; American sign language; studying abroad; Red Cross first aid and CPR; and family care giving.

Dr. Marie Elaine Burns, dean of the Middlefield campus and evening programs, met with short course personnel from De Anza College and agreed the program would be offered independent of other short course programs and not compete with existing programs. The programs would provide supplementary educational opportunities. Currently, De Anza conducts a community education program for the Cupertino/Sunnyvale area.

The Middlefield campus has the necessary administrative support staff and enrollment capabilities. The fee-based structure will pay for presenters and marketing needs so no additional costs are expected to affect the 2004-05 budget.

The Foothill College Middlefield Campus is located at 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For more information, call 949-6950.