The Student Senate at Manchester Community College have made this possible by signing a contract with the Manchester Transit Authority to provide free bus service (the U-Pass Program) for students at the college. The annual fee is $5,000, up $1,000 from last year and will continue through May 2010.

Because enrollment is up 12% this year, more students will presumably not only be using the service, but more students will need to use this service. The Senate currently advertises the free bus rides with an electronic sign in the hallway near the cafeteria. The student only needs to show their MCC Student ID card to ride free. The free U-Pass Program will also benefit those attending the college in the second fall term that is available and also for students in the credit and non-credit training courses offered throughout the school year. Ryan DiEoreo, Student Senate Vice President says that because of the huge increase in use, the prices with the Transit Authority inevitably went up. The Senate voted to keep this service in use for the benefit of all students.

Enrollment is up at the college despite the economic recession, which means more potential for not only using the free bus service, but because parking is now considered ‘competitive’ at the school because of the large numbers of students. Even if you can drive to school, why not save money and time by riding the bus? Cut back on gas and the time it takes to park and the student can concentrate their budget on academics. Many students have enrolled at community colleges to save money and prepare for transfer to a larger, private institution as well as mid-career professionals who have decided to start something new. If a student lives in Manchester, the bus is a viable alternative to driving a car, especially if you have to borrow that car from the parents.

Samra T. Bicic has taken countless steps to make her dream a reality.

Samra is a single mother, a non-traditional student who, along with her family, was forced to flee from her homeland, leaving behind everything and everyone she knew. They left their war-torn native Bosnia and came to the United States in 2001, settling first in New London, Connecticut.  After Samra’s brother told about Manchester Community College, she went there, first in 2004, then in 2006. Finally, she returned in 2009, to continue her education.

Samra has a technical engineering diploma, but she decided to pursue a business degree. “It developed naturally,” she said, “my family owned a grocery store in Bosnia”. She recalls how hard it was to keep the business going. “I saw how they struggled, to make a successful”. Determined to be a success in the business world, Samra is involved in the Alternative Career Education Students(ACES).

Samra “loves” the ACES program, with its emphasis on helping students focus on their futures. She thinks faculty advisor Michael Magoon is “wonderfully awesome” and calls her fellow students “a refreshing group of people who will do well”. She adds that, as ACES grows, the students will get more involved and “do good for the future”.

It is worth noting that a person’s path is made easier if others have gone before them. Samra’s sojourn, first to become an engineer, then making her way to Manchester, reminds me of my own journey into a non-traditional world. In 1978, I was part of the first group of women to work in the Quincy, MA shipyard, helping to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. I was trained as a welder, and assigned to one of the many mills scattered throughout the shipyard. I worked second shift, and each evening, I would put on my welder’s mask and started joining together half inch thick steel plates. It was hard and dangerous work, and I went home bone tired. All that paled in comparison to the harassment we endured at the hands of our male counterparts. They did not exactly welcome us with open arms; in fact, some guys were downright hostile. They either ignored us or made lewd comments. Still, we endured, because we knew that each time we showed up for work, it made it a little easier for women who would follow us. Our legacy, not unlike ACES, was, and is, a better world for everyone.

That’s why ACES is the place.

Many colleges’ have a Campus Activities Board that is responsible for planning and executing events on campus. Our own CAB is responsible for the majority of events that take place at Manchester Community College (MCC) such as the Lunchtime Lounge, and Spring Bash as well as many other events.

CAB is made up of a diverse selection of students, from many different backgrounds, ages, and genders. When speaking with the CAB advisors, Ms. Clay mentioned that the group went from around one member two years ago, to around 27 members this year, and that they are still growing rapidly. Membership for CAB is open, and it is a non-self serving organization that is there for the good of the college. They try to think outside of the box, and cater to everyone, hosting student events, campus events, and even family events.

Also, like the organization itself, CAB’s advisors are diverse as well. Ms. Clay works with Student Life, Ms. Jagodowski is head of the Art & Design department, and Mr. McGrath is an Admissions Counselor. They say it is a good mix, and that the club benefits from all aspects of its members. The advisors are just that, advisors. They let the students run it, and they are impressed by what is being done. Joanne Jagodowski said that it is “Good watching the growth.”

One of the main topics discussed was the CAB leadership itself, the students. CAB is primarily a student led club, and is going through some restructuring to put more control in the hands of MCC’s students. Growth, leadership, and community are important to CAB; it’s about self improvement, to better improve the organization, to better improve the college’s community. As I was told, the college is more than just classes, it is a community. As an Admissions Counselor, Mr. McGrath knows the relationship between student involvement and retention. He noted that the more involved and invested one is in their college, the more successful they are. Mark McGrath said that “We’re a real school.” And also “CAB has the mission, and the ability to make this feel like real college.”

CAB is continuing to put forth a great effort in benefiting the school and the community within it. They are going to continue a wide selection of events including more performers for the Lunchtime Lounge, more movie nights, and other performances at the college.

As a final note, I would personally like to thank Aileen Clay, Joanne Jagodowski, and Mark McGrath for all the help the provided for this article, and for the wealth of information they had. I am considering joining CAB myself, and urge others to look into it.