FVCC enrollment hits new high

(Spring 2011)

By QUINN LEWIS

More students than ever are attending FVCC this spring, but the numbers indicate the rapid enrollment growth of recent years may be slowing.

FVCC officials point to the recession and high unemployment for the recent enrollment boom.

"Student headcount is 2,841, which is an all-time high," said Brad Eldredge, FVCC executive director of institutional research,assessment and planning. "A lot of this surge is driven by the economics."

While headcount is up 0.7 percent at the college, the full-time equivalent, or FTE (calculated by dividing the number of students enrolled by 15 credits) is down 1.2 percent from spring 2010. FTE is used by the state when allocating funding for colleges. There has been a 75 percent increase in FTEs at FVCC in the last 10 years, and a 33 percent rise since last year.

The increase is led by valley residents with nine out of 10 FVCC students living in Flathead, Sanders or Lincoln counties. Flathead County's unemployment rate has reached 14.1 percent and in neighboring Sanders and Lincoln counties unemployment has creeped above 20 percent.

Eldredge said the long-term enrollment increase is driven by non-traditional students, or students age 25 or older. More than half of FVCC's student body is considered nontraditional.

This increase in nontraditional students is absolutely positive," Eldredge said. The staff has been good about stepping up. The more people we can serve the better."

The enrollment increase has challenged FVCC with campus parking issues, increased class size, registration difficulties and more responsibility for instructors and staff. These issues continue to facilitate a welcome change at the college when viewed by officials.

"We have met all challenges," said Kathy Hughes, FVCC vice president of instruction. "The new buildings and online curriculum have provided good expansion. Adjunct instructors provide an incredible pool of talent allowing for more classes."

An extra parking lot has been built to help meet campus needs. Also, the leasing of the former Department of Natural Resources building has helped aid the occupational trades courses.

The student body has changed along with the economy and campus. A broader range of student age and ability is now present in the classroom.

The diverse student body is exciting,"Hughes said. "The nontraditional students have enriched the classroom itself and brought life experience, while younger students bring energy and skills."

Quinn Lewis is a student in Journalism 101C, News Writing and Reporting.