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Phoenix Article

Swingshift College 2008

“Swingshift College just for Workers?” Not at all! Over the years the most common misconception about Swingshift College has been that it's only for steelworkers, but nothing could be further from the truth. Any IU Northwest student may take advantage of Swingshift classes. During its 14 year history the advantages of Swingshift College, have made it possible for hundreds of full-time workers to get degrees from IU Northwest. Swingshift Assistant Mike Olszanski, a 2001 graduate of IU Northwest, wishes he'd started Swingshift College 30 years ago: "I started college in the 1960's, got a job at Inland Steel, and had to drop out when I was assigned to shiftwork. I came back in the 1990's, and with Swingshift, shiftwork was no longer a problem. The program is so valuable; I don't know why we're not doing more of it."

But what the university considers the more "traditional" students--many of whom also work part time--have and can benefit greatly from the program's assistance in making classes at IU Northwest more accessible. Rosa Estrada has taken advantage of many Swingshift classes and says, "Swingshift College offers online courses, alternative sites, and schedules that make graduation possible for working students. We need more innovative thinking like this to answer the dynamic needs of all working students."
Repeating classes mornings and evenings and utilizing the newest technology, (Poly-Com and Computer Streaming) students can participate fully in on-campus classes at off-campus locations, and/or view streaming video of a class at home on their own computers. All this means that shift work, changes in your work schedule, or family commitments need not interfere with class attendance. And if missing a class becomes unavoidable, we record DVD’s of classes.

DVD’s are always available free of charge so students who don't own computers can keep up. Off-site classrooms conveniently located in East Chicago, Bums Harbor and Portage makes travel to the main campus for the purpose of attending class unnecessary.

Anthony Timmons, a current Swingshift College student says, "Swingshift College has given me the opportunity to finish earning my college degree. Fifteen years ago my path to obtaining a college degree was side tracked; now through the Swingshift College program, I am able to achieve this goal. Between a demanding work schedule and family life, I thought going back to school would be next to impossible; but through this program with its knowledgeable staff, excellent professors and accommodating class hours, what once was unattainable is now within reach. I would highly recommend the Swingshift College to any working class person that wants to gain more knowledge and opportunity in their lives. Also the real life experiences that the students bring to the classes are priceless. With so much truth, knowledge and understanding how could I not take advantage of the opportunities that the Swingshift College has to offer?"

Participation in class and group work is highly valued; but our professors understand that working adults take learning very seriously, so they place more emphasis on understanding the subject matter and critical thinking because they know attendance is not always possible for working adults. “Our philosophy is that knowledge enters the class room with the students, as well as the professors. While stressing academic rigor and high standards, Swingshift professors emphasize success rather than failure, and strive to provide students with innovative methods to demonstrate proficiency,” added Swingshift College coordinator Charlie Brooks.

Another advantage of Swingshift College is the learning environment created in classes where students apply what they are learning to the issues of the day. Swingshift College provides a space within IU Northwest where an on-going learning community has emerged enabling students to connect life experience to classroom knowledge and social justice concerns to study.  

Dr. Chuck Gallmeier, Chair of the Sociology Department, was one of the first teachers for Swingshift, and when asked what he thought about the program he replied, “Swingshift has been one of best teaching experiences I have ever had! That’s because inside Swingshift classes I have had the pleasure of teaching some of the finest students of my career. Swingshift students are hungry for knowledge, knowledge for its own sake and they are some of the most committed students I have ever encountered. In my 25 years of teaching they are the only students who got mad at me for not showing up for class."

Swingshift College provides a variety of classes, leading to bachelor's Degrees in General Studies or Labor Studies, minors in Labor Studies, as well as class requirements for other majors. Funding permitting, the program hopes to grow and expand to provide a larger variety of classes for students in all majors. For more information, or to enroll in classes or offer assistance, call Charlie Brooks or Mike Olszanski at (219) 981-4263 or 981-4259.