LCC sees spike in enrollment
Friday, January 2, 2009 11:48 PM PST
By Leila Summers
Printable version
E-mail this articleEnrollment is booming at Lower Columbia College.
College spokeswoman Sue Groth said winter quarter admissions are 20 percent higher than last years, and there’s still space for more students to enroll.
“I don’t think we’ve set a limit (on enrollment),” Groth said.
The college is expecting 2,200 full-time students and an overall total of 3,400 students, as of Dec. 30th enrollment numbers. Winter quarter classes start next week.
A faltering economy appears to be the main drive behind the enrollment boost, Groth said, and many students are new to the college.
Last week, LCC had its largest new-student orientation in history, she said.
“We’re seeing increases across all age groups,” she said. “I think people are realizing to be recession-proof in their employment they need additional training.”
Growing enrollment helps generate more tuition dollars for the college, but community college across the state are grappling with the possibility of limiting admission next year due to upcoming state budget cuts. State funding is the college’s biggest source of revenue.
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed 2009-2011 budget encourages state colleges to maintain steady enrollment, but the spending plan calls for a 6 percent budget cut along with recommended delay of community college staff raises.
Gregoire’s proposal allows community colleges to increase tuition $125 next year.
The state faces a $5 billion budget gap next year, and the governor and the Legislature must craft a spending plan that avoids a deficit. The new budget biennium starts July 1.
How the state’s shortfall affects LCC next year is yet to be determined, Groth said. The college would plan instructional and enrollment cuts only as a last resort, she added.
“We won’t know what the overall impact will be until May or June,” Groth said. “What we’ll try to do is cut in areas that have least impact to students, so we’ll be able to offer as many classes as we do now.”
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