MHCC’s enrollment numbers as of Wednesday morning were up 1 percent from this time last year, a trend MHCC administrators hope continues.

According to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development’s latest report, “Community college enrollment both in terms of headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE) has dropped significantly as Oregon’s colleges have cut their budgets in response to the reduction on state budgets.”

The report also links budget cuts to a significant decrease in college enrollment statewide due to a decrease in course availability and tuition increases of 12 percent to 25 percent per year.

At MHCC, cost was cited as one of the reasons for the termination of Accounting Technology (AAS), Aviation (AAS), Electronics Technician (AAS) Entrepreneurship (AAS), and the Horticulture certificate program last year.

Although tuition has not increased in a year, enrollment numbers do not show many signs of rebounding.

“We are doing everything we can to bring students back” said MHCC President Robert Silverman, adding that competition from Portland Community College’s 9,400-square-foot Southeast campus, which opened last year at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street, could draw in students who live in neighborhoods typically served by MHCC.

Proximity and programs such as a digital textbook program that saves students up to 30 percent on new book prices could prove too tempting for some.

In response, MHCC has launched a $93,000 annual advertising campaign that will include radio ads, bus billboards, newspapers and movie theaters.

In addition, the school has contacted 1,000 potential students who submitted applications to attend Mt. Hood, but did not register for classes fall term, in an effort to add them to the rolls.

“I thought it was proximity that drew students to MHCC. What we found out was that students choose us for the programs,” said Silverman, who is counting on students choosing MHCC for courses of study like the Funeral Services Program, the only one of its kind in the Northwest.