The things that would have made it easier for these people to come to college related mainly to their reasons for not registering. Three people mentioned financial assistance would be necessary - living allowance and tuition fee payment. Two wanted better transportation (bus routes) or a closer location. One person said, "Get rid of timed tests." (The woman with the English difficulties.) Two suggestions related to waitlists -"Get rid of them!" and, "Schedule more classes." Four of the suggestions related to work regimes - shifts and seasonal work. The "seasonals" wanted to come to college for one season. Some wanted evening classes and "classes at a mutually convenient time." Problems occur for people who work one shift time for a month and then another shift time the next month, and also for those who work a “10 days on, 4 days off” type of shift.

In the general comments, eight people suggested more and better advertising of courses and programs with more specific information to reduce "the run-around". Five wanted improved student loan and financial assistance programs. Three made comments about removing embarrassment and fear as much as possible. One person does not like the testing conditions at the Assessment Centre. He cannot do well under time pressure and with a lot of people in the room. The Native woman wanted to help children on the reserve to read. Four others made comments on children in the regular school system: "Encourage them to plan their futures"; "Tell children to stay in school so they don't have the problem as adults"; "Schooling must include mandatory English, social studies and civics"; "Students must know and get the right prerequisites for the courses they want to take." The youngest person in the group (18 years), however, said that she thought she could get a good-paying job with her Grade 7 education "by having a good relationship with the manager." (She was currently a dishwasher.)

DISCUSSION OF SURVEY

The attrition of the target sample population is noteworthy - only 21 percent of the 90 names on the list actually formed the survey sample. The previous study by the College's Assessment Centre also showed attrition of the target sample population, (Assessment Centre, 1989). That study was geared to persons who were placed in ABE Introductory or ABE Intermediate level courses. Thus, their target sample represented a group with slightly higher education achievements and skills than the one for this survey. The findings, however, point to an extremely mobile or transient element within these groups of nonregistrants. There were many Native people in the target sample for this telephone survey which is worth mentioning, because readers may not have expected that from Victoria. The only known socio-demographic variable in the target sample was age. However, at least 12 of the 90 persons on the original list were Native. From the responses received, it is evident that there were plans to offer at least one Native class off-campus. This plan then could partially account for some of the Native nonregistrants. Some of these people had given the Native Friendship Centre or other places as contact numbers.