New data confirm increased enrollments
By CC Times, Published May 14, 2009

New data on spring enrollments confirm what community colleges already knew—more students at enrolling at two-year campuses. 

While downturns in the economy have traditionally resulted in an uptick in enrollments at community colleges, other factors—such as tuition increases at state universities—are also contributing to the increase.

At the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD) in Arizona, spring enrollment jumped nearly 5 percent to 250,000 students. Students registered even before the state’s universities imposed tuition surcharges this month ranging from $350 at Northern Arizona University to $766 at the University of Arizona.

“We are expecting a major increase in the fall as the universities price people out,” said Barry Vaughan, president of MCCD’s faculty association.

He said the new charges are a significant increase for freshmen.

“You know there will be a percentage of students who were barely affording it before,” Vaughan said.

Growth at the 10 campuses that make up the MCCD ranged from 0.3 percent at Phoenix College to more than 16 percent at the online Rio Salado Campus.

A lot of enrollment statistics have to do with a boom or bust economy, said Debra Thompson, vice chancellor of the district.

“When the economy is very good, people are working and don’t feel the need to go to school,” Thompson said. “Clearly, the demand is there.”

She expects community colleges will see an additional increase in enrollment by 3 or 4 percent. Increased enrollment creates its own stresses, though, because tuition covers only a third of the cost of educating a student.

In March, the district board voted against a proposed $5 hike in tuition, which stands at $71 a credit-hour. But board members recently signaled that they may agree to raise the property-tax levy in June.

The district already has reduced operational budgets by 2 percent, or about $10 million out of an annual budget of $600 million, because of state cuts.

But a 2004 bond measure is allowing the colleges to construct new classrooms. Faculty positions are being filled, and the district is recruiting more adjunct instructors, Thompson said.

In California, newly tabulated attendance data indicate that student enrollments at the state’s 110 community colleges are surging at a dramatic rate. Reports submitted by the community colleges to the State Chancellor’s Office show that enrollments are up at 103 of the state’s 110 community colleges. Statewide, enrollments have increased by 6.4 percent, or over 150,000 students, compared to last year.

“These enrollment reports are confirming what college leaders have been saying from the beginning of the academic year—the demand for community college education and training is surging,” said state Chancellor Jack Scott. “With statewide unemployment at 11.2 percent, California’s displaced workers are pursuing the training they need to get back in the workforce. The colleges are also seeing more demand from students who were not able to enter the University of California or California State University due to restricted admissions.”

The increase in enrollments is well beyond the 2 percent enrollment increase funded in the state budget for the current year, according to state officials.

“The colleges are currently serving over 140,000 students for which they are receiving no funding,” said Erik Skinner, vice chancellor for fiscal policy. “The colleges are stretching their dollars as far as they will go in an attempt to meet the increased student demand. The result is overflowing classrooms, closed course sections, and long waiting lists.”

As community colleges in California plan their budgets for the upcoming year, they are closely watching the state budget situation. Given that the colleges are almost entirely dependent on funding from the state, their ability to hire faculty and offer course sections is largely determined by the state budget.

“While, up to this point, state leaders have done their best to protect the community colleges from deep budget cuts, we are concerned about what the future holds,” Scott said. “Given how the colleges are already spread thin, additional budget cuts will result in fewer course sections and fewer students being served. Such a reduction in access to education and training would undermine California’s economic recovery.”

AP reports were used in this article.