Mig
rant students get chance, choice in HEP
By Joyce Vasquez
It used to be that the children of migrant farm
workers weren't able to receive a diploma, much less
a chance to get an education. Today the High School
Equivalency Program (HEP) helps such students
complete their education and find opportunities open
to them.
HEP at UNL, under the direction of Mike
Wortman, is financed by the Labor Department and
handled through the Nebraska Human Resource
Association. The program began seven years ago and
has grown into 15 other HEP offices over the nation.
The Lincoln HEP office is in the 501 Building.
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Photn hy Kevm Higley
Alfredo Gomez, associate recruiting director for
UNL's High School Equivalency Program
(HEP).
An estimated 35 to 38 students are completing
their education through HEP. Students range from 17
to 24 years of age.
The main goal set by the Labor Department is
provi ding General Education Development to migrant
students. Along with this goal are the philosophies
that students will learn to believe in themselves, see
opportunities available, use education as a tool and
develop individual talents, but without losing their
culture.
Recruiting
With the help of migrant agencies, recruiters have
been seeking dropouts" and informing them about
HEP in Minnesota. Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona,
Texas, Colorado and Nebraska.
To qualify, the student must be a migrant or
seasonal farm worker or a member of a migrant or
seasonal farm working family (50 per cent of income
must come from farm work). They must be single and
between the ages of 17 and 24. Being a school drop
out for at least six months and meeting the poverty
guidelines of the Labor Department are the final
qualifications.
Tests are given to sec what the HEP student is
interested in and what work level they are at.
Most of the HEP participants stay from two and
one-half to three months.
Students arc provided transportation, meals and
housing at the Abel-Sandoz residence hall. In
addition, tlicy receive SIO a week to pay for soap,
laundry and other expenses. Social activities art also
planned, such as picnics, dances and roller skating
parties.
Outside choices
Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:30
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Science, literature, English,
mathematics. read;im and social studies arc taught.
Guest speakers, counselors and representatives from
the university explain outside choices they may make
after finishing HEP.
When thev compieic mc piuS.am,
three-month follownn of the student is made.
Alfredo Gomez, associate recruiting director, said
the system is very flexible and that "it's never too
late" for the students.
"The students are heard and understood, unlike in
a class of 50. They are given individual help and
attention academically as well as socially. There are
no cultural clashes and the close atmosphere is
relaxing. We want to give them the idea that they can
make it."
Four teachers
Four full-time teachers and 10 to 15 university
students act as teachers and counselors.
Ron Taylor, one university student involved. in the
Lp program, works as a residence hal counselor.
HEP counselors are chosen through interviews held to
determine their ability to communicate with people.
As a dorm counselor Taylor helps with career and
grade problems. He estimated he spends 15 to 20
hours a week with each student.
Three students completing their HEP education
gave favorable impressions of the program.
Teachers were friends
Linda Bateman was a drop out student from the
10th grade. Batcin;ni said that in HEP her teachers
were her best friends and she was able to work at her
own speed. She plans to be a keypunch operator.
Lupe Leal had gone up to the 1 1th grade before
quitting for 10 months. Leal saw HEP as an easy way
of receiving her diploma in an atmosphere where
"everyone's friendly." Lupe hopes to further her
education and plans a career as a counselor.
Another student, Hector Lozano. had had
difficulty getting along with teachers, but in HEP he
said he was getting more of an education "without
the hassles." Lozano plans on training to be a welder.
Students who have heard publicity
about the no-frills airline programs and
have visions of packing a sack lunch and
(lying home at a reduced rate, arc out ot
luck.
The program, which offers reduced
rates lor less service, is ollered only on
flights between Miami and New York and
between Miami and the west coast.
f mm according to representatives from the
n AT ""m f C-Y (2m( companies which initiated the program.
I IV- I J I I Ul No frills Hying, which was approved
by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
and began Monday, offers a 35 per cent
reduction from coach rates under certain
conditions. Reservations must be made
seven days in advance and tickets must be
purchased when the reservation is made.
The service runs Monday through
Wednesday and is eliminated during July
Reduced
air rates
locally
and August. Customers arc not served any
food, but beverages may be bought.
The program was suggested by
National Airlines to generate new traffic
for the airline, according to a National
spokesman.
"It's not that our air fares arc too
high." he said, "but we're in a recession
and we have to pry their money away
from them."
National has been selling advance
tickets under this program for more than
a month, with the stipulation that if CAB
did not grant approval the money would
be refunded or the tickets exchanged.
A passenger survey taken a month ago
indicated that several people who
purchased these tickets would not have
chosen air transportation if not for the
program, according to the spokesman.
He also said the no-frills sections were
filled to near-capacity on the first flights
Monday.
Four other airlines have received
approval from CAB to run similar
programs, under such names as
"economy excursion fare" and "J class.'
Representatives from each of these
airlines indicated they initiated the
program in order to compete with
National, and were running flights only in
areas where they compete directly with
National. None of the airlines anticipate
expanding the program to other
locations.
The other four airlines which began
the program Monday are American
Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Continental
Airlines and Delta Airlines.
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Glass Menagerie
page 12
daily nebraskan
aye nmf
17th & R (on campus)
thursday, april 17, 1975
