by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
A $4 haircut? Two bucks for a manicure or a pedicure? Six dollars for all three services?
That’s exactly what Florida State College at Jacksonville is offering later this month during its “The Best of North Campus” event. It’s April 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and there will be much more than basic spa services.
Through the school’s culinary arts program, you can have lunch in the Mallard Room for $6, get oral hygiene instruction, free chair massages and enjoy a college baseball game. North Campus President Dr. Barbara Darby said the event is designed to do more than just provide services at deeply discounted prices.
“This is a good way to help the community and give something back,” said Darby, who has been campus president since 1998, adding the money raised for the spa services will go to relief funds for those affected by the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. “Whatever we generate will be used as a donation.”
The event is a first for the campus, which houses many of the school’s programs that allow students to get certifications in such things as cosmetology and other vocations. Darby said the event is also designed to raise awareness of the programs at the campus. She said the hope is young people will see the programs as a viable career and apply, which they can do on the spot. Others, Darby said, may see the opportunities available at the school and view them as second careers or a good reason to switch careers altogether.
“This is a new twist on our goal of having interaction with the community and utilizing what the college has to offer,” she said.
One of the more popular programs is the school’s dental certification. Darby said there is currently a 1,600-person wait for another service that most pay upwards of $100 for twice a year.
“It’s a good deal to get your teeth cleaned for a pittance of what you pay the dentist. It’s less than $10,” said Darby.
While the best of event looks like a great opportunity to get pampered for next to nothing and your teeth cleaned for less than the cost of three gallons of gas, the real purpose is to raise awareness of the school’s vocational certifications. Darby said, as a rule, the cost of getting those certifications is less than the two- and four-year academic programs the school offers.
“The ultimate goal is you might find something you want to do and learn about and find a new career,” she said. “Tuition varies by program. For academic college credit, you pay by the credit hour. For certifications for vocations, you pay by the clock hour. (The overall cost) Depends on the length of the program. Comparatively, the certification program is less.”
Janice Hall, instructional program manager for North Campus, is expecting hundreds of people to take advantage of the inexpensive services.
“We anticipate having 40 haircut stations, 11 manicure stations and four pedicure stations. Haircuts, which take approximately 60 minutes, will include a shampoo,” she said, adding the manicures and pedicures will take about 30 minutes. “So, we estimate that we will be able to accommodate over 100 individuals for haircuts, twice that number for both manicures and pedicures. Guests can sign up at the registration desk starting at 9:30 a.m.”
There is limited seating for lunch in the Mallard Room, so the school is asking people to call 766-5555 for reservations. For all other information on the event, call 766-6555.
North Campus is located at 4501 Capper Road.
356-2466