By Joshua Knopp/managing editor
TCC’s enrollment the first day of classes stood at 48,680, an increase of more than 3,000 from last spring’s first day.
Most of the increase is on NW (1,486 more students) and SE (1,680 new students), each of which registered 12 percent increases over last spring. Discrepancy in numbers is due to students enrolling on more than one campus.
The rapid growth fits with what’s happened on the two campuses the past few years. NW has gone from 8,000 to 10,000 to 12,000 students the past three springs. SE has seen steady increases of around 1,000 students the past four springs.
“There’s growth in the community,” said NW registrar Aubra Gantt on her campus’ rise in enrollment. “It’s a team approach on our campus. We try to work with the students.”
SE registrar Juan Torres pointed out other factors.
“Economics has something to do with it,” he added, “and, of course, our excellent faculty.”
Both registrars also spoke at length of their campus’ expanded dual-credit program as a reason their enrollment increased as well. Dual-credit students accounted for 11 percent of NW’s headcount and 13 percent of SE’s last fall.
Across TCC, weekend enrollment is up 31 percent from last spring, nearly doubling on NW (874 students last spring to 1,439 now) and nearly tripling on South Campus (336 last spring to 975 now). All other campuses experienced weekend enrollment growth of at least 1,000 students.
“I think it’s just that we’re offering more options,” said Linda Hines, director of accreditation and compliance. “Students are willing to be flexible to get the courses that they need.”
This growth is not all sunshine and daisies or “beer and Skittles” as vice chancellor of administration Bill Lace puts it.
“While we like to grow … we begin to question our resources,” he said.
Lace said that while growth of population has always been faster than growth of funds, this semester will be different. For the first time, the two figures will move away from each other.
“We’re being asked to do more with less,” he said.
All other campuses grew as well, along with distance learning enrollment. NE expanded by 5.5 percent (906 students), South by 4.7 percent (563 students) and TR by 11 percent (568 students). Non-duplicated distance learning enrollment increased by 3 percent (371).
