The 83 barriers GCC faculty and staff documented watching students hit, each rated 1 to 5 for how frustrating (F) and how impactful (I) it is to a student. Respondent names and emails are withheld. Source: GCC Faculty Senate Student Frustrations Survey, 2025.
| # | Observed barrier | Area | Scope | F | I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Language barriers | Admin | Internal · Unclear | n/r | n/r |
| 2 | Students Don't Realize they Sign-up for NORTH Class (and the other way around). | Admin | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 3 | Campus services operate on business hours | Admin | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 4 | SchedulingServices not available during hours that students need | Admin | Internal · Micro | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Lack of services on weekendsThe library is open on weekends. High Tech support is available on Saturday mornings, and Testing is available on some Saturdays (not clear from their webpage which Saturdays). However, some services are only weekday. One example: advisement. Some classes are offered on Saturdays, to meet student needs. Having at least half-day services on Saturday, would support busy students. | Admin | Internal · Micro | 3 | 3 |
| 6 | Access to technology needed for classesTwofold: the campus runs out of computers for those in need as well as hotspots the Library checks out which are grant based. Also, the process IT has implemented in the past limited when students could pick the computers up. I'm not sure if this has changed or not. But those who work or can only come in on certain days were impacted by this policy. | Admin | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | advising and how they are really the gatekeepers to enrollment | Advisement | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 8 | Students & families being refer from North to GCC Main Campus, when not necessarystudents getting referral and run-around | Advisement | Internal · Micro | 4 | 4 |
| 9 | Turning students away and sending an emai list of classes to sign up forl!!! Students want a one on one interaction!!! North has turned away SO many students it is unfortunate that we are doing a disservice to our community. Also, the high school 2 minutes away is a Riostudents are getting upset! | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | Assigned Advisors? What does that mean? Can someone at this school ask the powers that be how this works?Students frustrated with advisement. They ask, "why can't I see an advisor when it is convenient for me?" I thought community college was about access. | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 11 | Assigned Advisors?I see students both unaware and confused about this subject, and even as an employee, I have been unable to get a clear answer for students. If indeed students have assigned advisors, what are the responsibilities and expectations of those advisors? I have been told by students that they are discouraged from contacting their assigned advisors directly. Seeking clarity! | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 12 | Student trying to get advised & registeredSlow response times, poor quality of information and rude behavior | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 5 | 4 |
| 13 | It's been communicated to me, by students, that they are not being assisted with creating schedules, resulting often times in huge levels of frustration. I have to think that this leads to students taking wrong classes.Students being told they have to build their own schedules. Of course their are a percentage that can I am sure, but I am seeing huge populations that need that extra help. | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 14 | advisingIt is challenging for students to find a time to schedule appointments and meet with a knowledgeable advisor about transfer path requirements for psychology programs. Advising has become the gatekeepers to getting students enrolled and taking classes in a manner that us best for them. I've heard anecdotally that students are discouraged from taking courses at GCC - where they are cheaper and being directed to 4-year colleges because they were not given accurate information early in their time at GCC. We also seem to lose really good advisors in our FOI more often than other programs. It is a big FOI; perhaps at an administrative level we need to look at how people are trained and majors are staffed. One size does not fit all when it comes to FOIs and transfer partners. | Advisement | Internal · Macro | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | "Loss of Student Demand Data When First-Choice Courses Are Unavailable”When students meet with GCC advisors and request “specific” courses , whether for degree progression, personal interest, or scheduling needs , their “first-choice” options are often unavailable (closed, not offered, or conflicting). As a result, students are funneled into courses that may be less engaging or less aligned with their academic goals. This displacement data , the record of what students initially requested but couldn’t access , is not currently tracked (as far as I know). The result is a blind spot in our understanding of actual student demand. This issue extends beyond electives and into required courses regarding the preferred mode, time of day, day(s) of the week. These are critical data points that reveal student realities. Equally important in informing the above is Advisors’ capturing of the “why” directly from students. Without this big-picture understanding of “first-choice” data, big decisions that directly impact students risk being made on assumptions rather than evidence , potentially leading us down dead-end paths. Over time, students, departments, and the college all lose when unmet student needs steer our students to drop out or enroll in sister colleges or institutions outside the Maricopa system. | Advisement | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 16 | HungerEven when students have funds, they can come to classes for early morning classes and not be able to grab food because the food locations on campus are closed and the vending machines do not always have appropriate offerings. When students don't have funds, they do have access to the food pantry on campus, which is now open more often. | Food / Cafeteria | Internal · Micro | 3 | 3 |
| 17 | TransportationSeveral students who are unable to attend classes because of vehicle and cost issues. One student was late to class because the uber had a high cost because it was heavily used during an event. She even sent a screen shot of the uber cost being "premium". | Basic Needs | External · Macro | 3 | 3 |
| 18 | HomelessnessStudents have increasingly been coming in with concerns related to homelessness. It has become such a common occurrence that the GCC Cares team has started a list of students currently experiencing homelessness or who have recently been displaced. Many of these students are struggling with rent payments, which has led to housing instability or homelessness. Finding housing options close enough for students to continue attending their in-person classes has been especially challenging. Additionally, locating community resources that are tailored to specific age groups, genders, races, and other individual factors adds another layer of difficulty. | Basic Needs | External · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 19 | Transportation to campusStudents have a hard time coming to class when they don't have their own car, and rely on others to get to campus, or if their car breaks down. Public, alternative modes of transportation are not of easy access. Uber and other driving apps are not reliable. This means that students end up not coming to class | Basic Needs | External · Unclear | 3 | 5 |
| 20 | Housing insecurityStudents who do not have stable housing face a major obstacle when trying to enroll in college. Even if they are not living with their parents, many are still claimed on a parent’s tax return. When that happens, the federal financial aid system considers them dependent, even if they are not actually receiving support. This creates a real problem. They cannot apply for aid on their own, and they have to provide parent income information that may be hard to get or not accurate for their situation. On top of that, they often have to prove they are housing insecure, which is a difficult and uncomfortable process. Most students in this situation do not have paperwork that clearly shows their living situation, and the back-and-forth required to verify it can take weeks. For students who are already trying to cover basic needs like food, transportation, and a safe place to stay, this extra layer of work can be overwhelming. Many stop the enrollment process because the system makes it harder, not easier, for them to get support. In short, if a housing insecure student is claimed on a parent’s taxes, getting financial aid becomes much more complicated, and that becomes a major barrier to starting or continuing college. | Basic Needs | External · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 21 | Housing insecurityso many of our students face housing insecurities and there are limited resources in the community and it has been hard to address adequately. The stress of it impacts students performance in classes and their ability to stay, and continue. | Basic Needs | External · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 22 | Financial disparities: Students need an increased amount of financial assistance for basic needs. | Basic Needs | External · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 23 | Work and family obligations/changesOne or more students from just about every class section has a work and/or family situation change during the semester which threatens to (or does) result in them dropping out of a class. | Basic Needs | External · Unclear | 4 | 5 |
| 24 | Can't Get Textbooks after Hours | Bookstore | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 25 | Online textbook help | Bookstore | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 26 | Bookstore | Bookstore | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 27 | Food after 2pm | Food / Cafeteria | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 28 | Food cost -- shouldn't there be low-cost food alternatives? | Food / Cafeteria | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 29 | HungerEven when students have funds, they can come to classes for early morning classes and not be able to grab food because the food locations on campus are closed and the vending machines do not always have appropriate offerings. When students don't have funds, they do have access to the food pantry on campus, which is now open more often. | Food / Cafeteria | Internal · Micro | 3 | 3 |
| 30 | barriers to register with MCCCD and GCC can be confusing and overwhelming even for students with social and cultural capital. | Enrollment | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 31 | Communication. Student and their Parents get frustrated when they get the run around or the wrong information.There have been students & parents that go to the Enrollment Center and just because they are in the Honors Program they are sent to our building that is far from the Enrollment Center. Especially when it is over 100 degrees. They get to us and we have to tell them that they received the wrong information and have to go back to the Enrollment Center. Or when the student or parent call and they get transferred to the Honors Program. Not only are they frustrated and angry, they think that maybe this is not the right college for them. | Enrollment | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 32 | Getting Registered and Enrolled in ClassesI continue to hear from many people, and have experienced myself, how difficult it is to register for classes. 1. The online registration process is frustrating and confusing, and when problems arise, getting live help is nearly impossible. 2. Auto-replies from advisors come across as unfriendly and impersonal. 3. Regardless of how the Enrollment Center describes it, students do not feel they can come to campus and meet with someone in person when it fits their schedule. Coming to campus and being told they can make an appointment for another day is not helpful | Enrollment | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 33 | Online Support for EnrollmentI've spoken with multiple students who have been unable to enroll or answer basic admissions questions through the online chat. Either they are not able to understand the issue, are dismissive of the problem, or simply don't respond. I've heard many students mention that the service is useless and going in-person is the only way to get help. | Enrollment | Internal · Macro | 5 | 4 |
| 34 | Registering for classes and being dropped on the first day if the paperwork isn't perfect, or if their funding hasn't come through yet. | Enrollment | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 35 | Lengthy GCC Veteran Student Enrollment ProcessThe enrollment process for students utilizing VA education benefits can be overly complicated for some students. In my two and a half years of working within the GCC Veteran Services Center, I have personally witnessed potential students walk out of our office and give up on pursuing an education with GCC due to a perceived complicated/tedious enrollment process. After interviewing multiple veteran students from other academic institutions, such as NAU for example, the one thing that these students consistently praise NAU for is their incredibly simple, one-click certification process for veteran education enrollment. | Enrollment (Veterans Services Center) | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 36 | A fundamental lack of understanding regarding FOI choiceThere is a lack of support on the front end for students to choose a FOI, PRIOR to seeing advisement. It's creating confusion and frustration on the part of students, as it's being communicated that they feel crammed into a program they are not sure they 100% want to pursue. This barrier appears to be systemic. | Enrollment / Advisement | Internal · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 37 | The first-year students are overwhelmedFirst-year students are overwhelmed when they are enrolled in a math class that is based on their GPA. Many Honors students have difficulty because they were not ready for a higher-level math class. Just because their GPA was high, does not mean that math was a given and they would succeed. | Enrollment / Placement | External - Student · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 38 | Dark projection in classrooms makes it difficult to see. | Facilities | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 39 | Cold environment in libraryThe temperature in the library can sometimes be VERY cold. Students tell us about it and sometimes leave the library to warm up. | Facilities | Internal · Micro | 4 | 4 |
| 40 | Noisy (projection) fans in classes makes it difficult to hear, especially when students are presenting rather than the teacher. | Facilities | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 41 | Textbook quick / unmediated access | Faculty / Bookstore / Library | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 42 | Textbook cost | Faculty / Library | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 43 | Issues with Professors | Faculty Senate | Internal · Macro | 4 | 5 |
| 44 | FWS jobs never reply to studentsI work with many students who are experiencing financial hardships and want to work, are pell eligible and WANT to work on campus....too many have shared how they apply for job and never hear back, never even an acknowledgement that they applied. This is demotivating, frustrating as they are qualified for this award and too many report struggles back to me. | Financial Aid | Internal · Micro | 5 | 3 |
| 45 | FAFSA Understanding | Financial Aid | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 46 | Papercut wireless printing system requires login to local wireless network; inhibits students with password problems from being able to print. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 47 | Open WIFI service (i.e. Maricopa network) ends after HT center closes (this has been reported not verified as policy) | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 48 | Student asked about using Word on laptop. Difficult to find info on GCC website | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 49 | Paper cut is the only thing that comes to mind at this time. Specifically, the actual printing process. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 50 | Borrowing a Laptop for Semester | IT / Marketing | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 51 | Access to technology needed for classesTwofold: the campus runs out of computers for those in need as well as hotspots the Library checks out which are grant based. Also, the process IT has implemented in the past limited when students could pick the computers up. I'm not sure if this has changed or not. But those who work or can only come in on certain days were impacted by this policy. | IT | Internal · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 52 | Machine to add money to account is clunky, keyboard is non standard, student login times out too quickly, difficult to get card recognition quicky enough to process, etc. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 53 | No computer tech available for library computer lab after HT1 closes and on the weekends. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 54 | Establish other ways to authenticate when resetting password -- example - student didn't have access to the phone number in the system to receive text code; the alternate email address was Maricopa email but he didn't know his password. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 55 | Printing w/ pcutapp.gccaz.edu websiteThe process of figuring out what printer and how to add money for most students seems confusing. About 85% of students will need help their first time printing. The website just has far to many options for students and the options they use "Web print" & "Add Value" are at the bottom of the list. Also there is no option to deselect double sided so when students use the pcutapp site they have to print double sided. | IT | Internal · Micro | 3 | 2 |
| 56 | Paying for PrintingMost of the colleges in Maricopa County provide free printing or free printing money to students in the libraries. GCC does not. This is an unfair barrier to students, who literally could choose a different colleges over this issue. At CGC for instance, all students are given $25 dollars A MONTH on their printing account, and can print from there. Further, we as the librarians do not have an easy way to print for students if they need it gone. It requires them to email us and is just a clunky system. At CGC for instance, I am given $2000 dollars a semester in printing and can use it to assist students and faculty in their printing needs. It does not make sense to me why we do not do this for our GCC students. | IT | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 57 | Challenges to intial printing, especially at Start of Semester | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 58 | Forced DUO authentication when on campus (IP authentication should work - particularly library databases, etc.) | IT (District) | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 59 | Unnecessary DUO Authentication for Library Databases at all times | IT (District) | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 60 | Not having access to schoolworkIf a student loses their device that had the DUO access on it, then they can't access their schoolwork or email. They would have to get a FOB or security key device to login but even then, that device can only be used every 24 hours which can be frustrating. Not having access to logging in can also hinder there access to other services like trying to complete our departments financial emergency fund application. | IT (District) | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 61 | Getting admitted and enrolled.I must preface this by saying that I am now serving as the staff representation co-president and anticipate changes aimed at improving processes through the Salesforce Student Lifecycle Management System (SLMS). Most of our IT service desk inquiries involve helping students gain access to their accounts, resetting passwords, and adjusting DUO multi-factor authentication so they can complete the enrollment or admission process. Occasionally, we are unable to assist because the admissions process is incomplete, requiring intervention from the Admissions and Records team. At the main campus, this creates a frustrating loop, which likely causes more people than we care to admit to simply drop out and leave after encountering the first barrier. | IT (District) / Marketing | Internal · Macro | 4 | 4 |
| 62 | Login challenges / frustration -- especially with vaired requirements regarding domain login (i.e. @maricopa.edu vs @mcccd.edu vs none required, etc.) [MEID inconsistency issues] | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 63 | After hours IT phone help is an outside contractor. They often send GCC (AZ) students to a GCC (CA) phone number and vice versa. IT will not admit this is a problem. Out of frustration, the students end up calling the library for help. | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 64 | Enrollment Website (Last I checked) | IT (District) / Marketing | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 65 | Wireless Printing Does Not Allow Single Sided Print | IT | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 66 | District Cookie Problem preventing access to many resources | IT (District) | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 67 | Forced authenitcation on public computers in library | Library | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 68 | HotSpot Notification Missed | Library | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 69 | Sensory friendly spaces or tools- students turn off lights when they have the option to do so. | Library | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 70 | It is impossible to find information about the Copy Center on the GCC Website. Searched for 20 minutes and could not find a webpage with their hours. | Marketing | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 71 | Our entire website and all the point of need forms/ contact is only in English. There is no clear way for a Spanish-speaker to navigate these systems and get help in Spanish even if we have someone who can help | Marketing | Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r |
| 72 | Hours of various campus locations are not posted on webpages | Marketing | Internal · Micro | n/r | n/r |
| 73 | Instructor/Student CommunicationI have had many students from the Math and Science departments share experiences of feeling misunderstood by their professors. There seems to be a communication breakdown between the instruction that is given and how it is received or applied by the student. Students often feel targeted or singled out rather than listened to and understood. They become intimidated when asking questions and feel they cannot connect with their professor. These concerns most often involve Mathematics instructors, but recently a Biology instructor has also been mentioned. | Math / Science Departments / CTLE | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 74 | Online Math classes require IN PERSON testingstudents sign up for ONLINE classes so that they do NOT need to come in person (some of them cant, hence the reason for signing up for online classes). Students will drop class or seek 100% online classes (like at Rio Salado). | Math Department | Internal · Micro | 5 | 5 |
| 75 | time managementStudents have challenges with time management. Expect classes to have little to no work, due to busy schedules | Student - Counseling (?) | External - Student · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 76 | ProcrastinationAfter a few failures, the student procrastinates or doesn't try to complete an assignment because they are afraid of another failure. | Student - Counseling (?) | External - Student · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 77 | Work/life balanceStudents struggle to navigate working a job and completing work. Some focus only on scheduling classes around their work hours without considering time for homework, reading, projects, etc. Students also struggle to navigate their personal/family relationships while being students, especially in emotional relationships. | Student - Counseling (?) | External · Macro | 4 | 4 |
| 78 | Testing center accessStudents are required to make a reservation at least 24 hours ahead of time to use the testing center. There is no option to accommodate a walk-in student. This is a barrier. While I understand the need to have students schedule an exam for staffing concerns, access, etc., there should be at least a few computers that could accommodate a walk-in student, even if it means they have to wait. The hours are also not overly accessible. For the past 4 years, I have offered my students the option to attend the Testing Center or take their exam at home using the Lockdown Browser. Not a single student has used the testing center. In my own survey, the reasons are because of transportation issues, hours the testing center is available, child care, and now the need to schedule at least 24 hours prior. | Testing Center | Internal · Micro | 3 | 4 |
| 79 | Classes dropping due to low enrollmentI had a few students who were dropped multiple times from one credit classes that were dropping due to low enrollment. This put the students below the required 12 credits for their scholarship. One student in particular would get dropped from one class, enroll in another, and then later get dropped from that class too. This happened to him 3 times in just the Fall 2025 semester. These students were only notified of the class cancelling after the class had already been dropped from their schedule. | Unknown | Internal · Macro | 5 | 5 |
| 80 | Academic skill set is below class requirement | Unknown | External - Student · Unclear | 5 | 5 |
| 81 | Low academic skills/confidenceSome students needs a lot of support through their class. This can be due to lower success in previous high school classes, low placement scores, gap in education, or low confidence in their abilities. We encounter quite a few students that ask for help every step of the way for their assignments. | Unknown | External - Student · Unclear | 4 | 4 |
| 82 | Lack of success in the course due to personal discipline and other factors.Lack of success in the course due to: (1) Frustration with the instructor or their teaching style. This could be a "bad fit" in terms of personality, style, or something greater. (2) Poor study habits (a lot have never had to study & don't know how) (3) Poor time regulation (especially for online, but overall as well) - I used to do a "show me your schedule" exercise where I had them put in everything that was consistent per week - classes, work, family commitments, workouts, sports practice, SLEEP, etc., for them to see how much time was left over for studying. A lot of people were shocked when they saw it all together, that the expectation of [at least] 1 hour for every hour in class wasn't at all possible in their schedules. (4) Lack of scheduling habits - e.g., using a planner to visualize (see above), mapping out assignments and their due dates, writing in extra credit opportunities that are easily forgotten, etc. (5) Poor attendance (see above) (6) Online students: Access to WiFi has suddenly become more difficult due to changes in housing or transportation to reach an off-site WiFi, etc. | External / Internal · Macro | n/r | n/r | |
| 83 | Specific and related to withdrawal #s: (1) Job schedule change (2) Need to start a job due to an unexpected financial burden (3) Deployment of self or spouse (4) Health changes (self) (5) Health changes of an aging parent (6) Health changes for a child (7) Transportation issues (8) Basic needs issues (Supply of food, housing insecurity, etc.... this list is long) | External · Macro | n/r | n/r |