Student enrollment at EC has steadily increased over the last two years due in part to the current economic situation.
Enrollment is up 7 percent since fall 2007 at EC and that is typical of enrollment at community colleges across California.
“When the economy has a downturn, people start seeking new skill sets. Some have lost jobs and many are worried about losing their jobs,” Dr. Arvid Spor, dean of enrollment, said.
Increased enrollment, coupled with statewide budget cuts, means there are fewer available sections and more crowded classrooms for students.
At EC, 12.4 percent of the classes available last fall have been dropped from this semesters’ course offerings.
“I’ve noticed twenty people in a class who want to add and they can’t,” Michelle Ferguson, nursing major, said.
Tara Beck, physical therapy major, has tried registering for classes at Santa Monica College, Long Beach City College, and Fullerton College in addition to EC, because she cannot get into all the classes she needs here.
“Some of the professors are a little on edge because they have a cap number of students they can allow and everyone wants to add,” Beck said.
Irene Graff, Director of institutional research, said that the ripple effect from the state budget has had an effect on state and community colleges.
“The budget has caused state colleges to limit their enrollment and also tuition has increased at state colleges so that has led more students to community colleges like EC, ” Graff said.
Fall 2009 enrollment at EC is slightly more than 25,200, EC’s largest since 2002 when enrollment was 28,856.
Beck has not had any success adding at EC and almost gave up, but decided instead to buy the book she needs for the class she wants to add. She said she would keep showing up for the class in hopes of a spot opening up for her.
And full capacity classrooms are not the only issue students and faculty have to contend with during high enrollment periods.
“Parking has been a nightmare,” Beck said. “But the new parking structure is helping.”
For students finding it difficult to get into classes, The El Camino College Compton Center can serve as a substitute.
It will be helpful for students to be aware of the Compton campus option in terms of registering for classes that are full at EC Spor said.
“I’d like more students to consider (the Compton center), they have that choice and it’s a great opportunity,” Spor said.
Categories:
Economic downturn brings in more students
By Tene Anderson
•
September 10, 2009
More to Discover