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The total head count in
credit-bearing classes is 367,547 students for this spring. The
near-record fall 2003 figure was 364,284.
"It's unusual to see overall spring
enrollment top fall enrollments, but that is what we are seeing
here," said Geoffrey S. Obrzut, president and chief executive
officer of the Illinois Community College Board. "We are seeing
demand from those in the work force who need to enhance their
skills, and the low tuition makes community colleges a much more
attractive option.
"We have seen this trend of
increasing spring enrollments for the past four years now," said
Guy H. Alongi, board chairman. "It is a credit to our colleges and
the manner in which they deliver a quality educational experience
to their students."
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Figures for full-time equivalent
enrollments have also increased. The full-time equivalent
enrollment, or FTE, is the measure of total credit hours divided
by 15, the number of semester hours considered as a full-time
class load. The full-time equivalent is up 2.3 percent over last
spring and up 15 percent compared with five years ago.
"The
increase in FTE means that more students are taking more classes,"
Obrzut explained. "As a matter of fact, the spring 2004 full-time
equivalent enrollment also is the highest it has ever been, and
last year was a record too."
[Illinois Community
College Board news release]
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