At the start of every semester students rush early to crash, or sit in on, required classes in hopes of getting add codes and a seat in class. The majority of the time, they are turned away in hopes of taking the course next semester because there is no availability. However, over crowded classes aren’t always the issue. Sometimes students are faced with cancelled classes. These classes may be needed for degrees or certificates.

The Radio, TV and Film department particularly dealt with scares of many cancelled classes before the semester began. The chair of Communications at City College, Laura Castaneda, explained the reason why many of the classes were facing extinction for the fall semester.

“We were about to lose eight classes … due to low enrollment,” explained Castaneda.

However, the instructors of that department found a way to advertise the classes and enroll students into the classes that were about to face cancellation,

“By the end of the first week, enrollments were able to be where they needed to be,” Castaneda said.

However, there is one major class the department lost. The class was RTVF 131, Advanced Radio Programming.

“That class was the student radio station … only three students enrolled. There was really nothing we could do,” Castaneda said.

Professors Dave Sniff and Scott Chatfield were scheduled to co-teach the course RTVF 131. The class focused on teaching students about advanced radio programming. Students were to learn story telling on the air. Chatfield explained the skills learned in the class are not only for radio but also “ … for TV, movies, podcasts, voice overs and so on.”

Chatfield believes the class failed to survive because of little awareness there was for the course.

“The problem is it needs to be more proactive,” Chatfield explained. “(We) have to do our own promotion (for the class).”

Bill West, a student in the RTVF program, hosts a student radio show called Friday Light. West previously took RTVF 131 and is currently enrolled in RTVF 247 Radio Broadcasting Production. He said the “The studio will move (soon into a) higher profile area … more into the life of school.” With the studio moving into an area that is visible to students, it can spark interest for many to join and have result in less classes cancelled.

RTVF wasn’t the only department faced with cancelled classes. The Computer Business Technology program had certain classes cut. However, they were able to find a quick resolution to the problem. The dean of the department, Rose LaMuraglia, said about nine to 10 classes were cut during this semester. Later, a required course became more available allowing a majority of the students to enroll in the class because it was in popular demand.

“Of the 118 classes cancelled, 18 were cancelled due to low enrollment,” Public Information Officer Heidi Bunkowske said.

This leaves the cause of 85 percent of class cancellations for fall 2014 open for speculation. Castaneda said classrooms moved locations that were printed in the catalog that may have confused students the first day. “What was online and in the paper schedule were in different rooms.” She continued to say the change in economy can also be a reason for low enrollment.