Public Input Needed for Community College

Click here for survey

The idea of a community college to serve Erie, Crawford, and Warren Counties has been kicked around for almost two years.  

Politicians have made their opinions known. So have educators and business leaders.

But now, members of the public can be heard by taking a survey on-line.

"We're hoping to get thousands of people to respond," said Judith Fagin, of REthink Erie. "It's for high school freshmen and older. As long as you're a resident or a business in the three counties. We would like to have you participate."

Judith Fagin is the project manager for REthink Erie's Community College initiative. The group is a collaboration of business, government, and economic development leaders. They're spearheading the idea, but they want to hear from everyone.

"I have been getting some e-mails from people directly. But the most gratifying are the ones that say,"Whether I agree with it or not, I'm really glad that you asked my opinion." The important part is to get lots of people to participate," said Fagin.

The on-line survey began January 28th and will be available only until this coming Friday. It's calls for point and click responses and takes only 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

"The Clements Group, the organization that's doing the research, has been astonished at the response." said Fagin. "We have 650 responses to date. And that was with a Super Bowl weekend. We're certainly hoping with reminders today and tomorrow that people will go on-line."

A community college for this area is not a done deal. The responses to the survey will go a long way to determine if the school is needed.

To take the survey, log on to http://www.rethinkerie.com.