Published: September 01, 2009 03:04 pm      

More students — 09/02/09

Weak economy may actually be boosting ACTC enrollment

Enrollment increased for the fall semester at Ashland Community and Technical College and throughout the statewide community and technical college system despite a sagging economy. Or maybe it is because of a weak economy.

With many workers in this area and throughout the state seeing their jobs disappear, many are opting to enroll in technical programs in hopes of learning skills that will qualify them for new careers. Others who still are employed but are worried about their futures are learning new skills by enrolling in classes part-time — just in case. ACTC officials confirm that most of the enrollment increase this fall is in technical and distance learning programs, indicating that older students are turning to the college to upgrade their skills.

While the Kentucky Community and Technical College System experienced a record enrollment for this fall, enrollment at ACTC did not set a new record for the school that has campuses on Ramey Street and Roberts Drive in Ashland and in EastPark. However, the approximately 4,700 students who signed up for classes at ACTC this fall represent a hefty increase from the 4,038 students last fall and is close to the record enrollment of 4,758 in the fall of 2007.

Some of those students will complete their studies without ever setting foot on the ACTC campus. Almost three out of every 10 ACTC students — 29 percent, to be precise — are taking at least one class on-line, while 14 percent of students are taking all their classes online.

Enrollment in community and technical colleges throughout the state topped 100,000 this fall. The two-year schools continue to be the biggest success story in postsecondary education in Kentucky, encouraging thousands who would never consider enrolling in a four-year university to at least improve their education after high school, which we consider essential for success in life.

However, the enrollment increases come at a time when state funding for community and technical college is decreasing. In order to absorb a $13.5 million reduction in state funding, KCTC has eliminated programs, reduced the number of courses and services offered to students and reduced the number of faculty members. Many courses once taught by full-time faculty are now being taught by part-time adjutant faculty who teach only one or two classes and do not keep office hours.

In short, more students than ever are enrolling at a time when schools are offering fewer classes. That either eliminates some students from taking courses they need or makes for large classes.

With state Budget Director Mary Lassiter saying that Kentucky’s revenue picture is getting worse instead of better, schools should expect more cuts in funding. After all, members of the General Assembly have made it clear that they prefer cuts in spending to raising taxes.

The best thing colleges and universities can hope for is an end to the nationwide recession that has forced virtually every state to make dramatic cuts in spending to balance their budgets. But KCTC President Michael B. McCall said the state’s community and technical colleges can help end the recession.

“Kentucky’s economic recovery depends upon KCTC’s ability to fulfill our unique role in higher education of providing the citizens of this state with the higher education access and opportunity they need to be successful in today’s global economy,” McCall said.

McCall is right. Many of the skills workers need to compete for today’s high tech jobs are taught at community and technical colleges. In a state that has a woefully undereducated adult population, how sad it would be if someone seeking to improve themselves were shut out because of a lack of space.