The Avery Building at the Round
Rock Higher Education Center.
Round Rock Higher Education Center, An Entirely Different University Experience
by Katrina Moline
September 20, 2007
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Round Rock Higher Education Center Infographic
Students attending classes at the Round Rock Higher Education Center, which opened in August of 2005, perceive a distinct difference between themselves and their San Marcos counterparts.
Many feel they receive a more personalized education in Round Rock and see themselves as more mature students. “I actually prefer taking classes at RRHEC. I live in south Austin and take classes in Round Rock by choice. The student to teacher ration is more conducive to my personal style of learning,” says 22 year-old public relations junior Jacqueline Vidal who adds that she would be a lot happier if should could take all of her classes at the Round Rock campus.
Students in Round Rock are often times more likely to be returning to college, married, a working professional or have at least one child. “I feel I’m different from San Marcos students because I am married and have a son. The Round Rock Higher Education Center makes it possible for me to get my degree,” says Stephanie Ahr, mass communication senior.
Senior Daniel Welch agrees with Ahr, “I differ from San Marcos students in that I’m 44, not 19, and at the RRHEC I deal with staff and faculty that truly are helpful and seem genuinely interested in facilitating you getting an education.”
This is Welch’s first semester taking courses at the main campus in San Marcos and says that the experience for him is lacking. “I feel like a number being run through a mill that’s designed to get as much money out of you and your family as they can before they’re ready to award you your degree,” says Welch.
The Avery building is currently the only building at the Round Rock campus, which Austin Community College also uses for some classes, but is merely the beginning of what will eventually be an entire Texas State University satellite campus. In general, parking is never an issue for students of the Round Rock Higher Education Center and the computer labs are not only state of the art, but quiet and practically devoid of the hustle and bustle that seems to be the norm at the main campus.
Plans are already in place for an entirely self-sufficient satellite campus with several buildings and amenities to even include the traditional university dormitories.
Students visiting quietly in an
otherwise empty hallway at the
Round
Rock Higher Education Center.
Windows welcome abundant sunlight that fills the long, eerily empty hallways with a warm natural light. Occasionally, a small cluster of students can be seen talking quietly in these hallways, but chances are good that these classmates will more resemble the instructors at the San Marcos campus than the students.
Some students do diverge from the majority. One such student is applied science senior Monica Keith who feels many students that regularly or only attend the Round Rock campus may be missing out on a unique experience only found in San Marcos on the main campus. “I feel as a RRHEC student I miss out on what’s going on at the main campus. I can feel the energy and appreciation of the campus and all of its people – the ambiance of it all is an awesome experience,” says Keith.
School of journalism and mass communication associate professor, as well as associate director for Round Rock programs, Judy Oskam sums it up, “I have found the students at the Texas State University Round Rock Higher Education Center to be very professional, creative and goal-oriented. My students are working full time, taking a full course load and some even have families to support. With unique course offerings, accomplished faculty, varied class times and formats, a great location with no parking problems, the Round Rock campus has much to offer Texas State students.”