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| El
Centro College has Highest Enrollment Increase in the District |
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by Dr. Karen C. Laljiani, Asst. Dean for Institutional Effectiveness
and Research
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| El Centro College enrollment increased this semester
by over 1,000 students compared with Spring 2002, a change of
24% over this same time last year. Aside from the Dallas Telecollege,
which has recently begun counting students independent of the
Colleges which are offering Distance Education courses there,
El Centro’s percent increase in enrollment is the largest
in the District. Close behind El Centro is Cedar Valley College,
which increased enrollment by 22.6% as of January 15, 2003.
Every college in the District has experienced growth this semester,
with an average increase for the District of 13% in enrollment,
and 11% in contact hours. |
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| El Centro’s increase in enrollment
(24%) and contact hours (24.7%) are well above the average for
the District. The College is currently undergoing construction
for the new Student and Technology Center, which is due for
completion in Spring 2004. The new classrooms and laboratories
that will be created will be essential to accommodate the growth
in enrollment that the College projects will continue for the
next several years. |
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More students than usual registered during
early registration this year, perhaps in an effort to gain
access to the courses that traditionally have filled up early
in past semesters. Earlier access to financial aid may also
have made a difference in students’ ability to register
early. The number of paid students was higher at the end of
early registration compared to last year. Also, the percent
change for paid students increased faster than the rate of
enrolled students did, indicating an ability of students to
pay their tuition earlier than they have been able to in the
past.
The excitement in the halls is palpable, and West End parking
lots are bursting at the seams. After certification date on
January 27th, many students will receive free DART passes,
easing the strain on downtown parking. In response to a DART
survey conducted at the College in Spring 2001, 67% of respondents
regularly ride a DART bus or train light to commute to El
Centro, and only 10% never ride DART to campus. Over 4,000
students will be eligible to receive the free Spring DART
passes, based upon paid enrollment in six or more credit hours
or 96 or more continuing education contact hours. |
| We are excited to have
attracted so many new faces to the campus, as well as to welcoming
back those who are returning. Let the semester begin! |
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