Minors in Class

At graduation ceremonies,  college administrators reciting remarkable statistics, like to include the age range of the year's graduates. And it is not uncommon to hear the youngest graduate is only 15 years old, an overachiever who must have started college at a very tender age.

Apparently, the college also has no restrictions on age for non-credit students attending Palomar. (For minor students in the K-12 system wanting to take credit classes, they have to complete a K-12 Special Admissions form.) As long as instructors agree to accept a minor student in their class, and the student has demonstrated ability to benefit from the course, the student should be allowed to enroll. Please be advised of this minor-now-allowed policy at Palomar and let your program coordinator know if you agree or object to having minors in your class. If there is an understanding beforehand, the coordinator can easily make the decision when you are not available, for example, during a semester break.

In an email message for coordinators, Gary Sosa, our new dept. chair, wrote, "For instructors, I don’t think this change will be a big deal. If students are too immature and exhibit disruptive behavior, like any adult student, they can be asked to leave the class. In most cases, minor students have been attentive and respectful." Katrina Tamura, an instructor in the San Marcos Evening program, vouched for that latter point, writing, "This summer, I have 6 [minors] in my class. I know two of them aren't even 15 yet. They are great students who are respectful and hardworking."