Fall enrollment declines

By Corin Salnave

Enrollment statistics for 2006 summer and fall terms have not yet been officially compiled, but according to the director of media and public relations for MHCC, Al Sigala, summer enrollment was up by about 7 percent from 2005, while fall enrollment is on a downward trend, currently 3 percent less than around the same time last year.

According to an Oregonian article, about 15 percent of this year’s 39 top achievers from the MHCC district are heading to Mt. Hood Community College, leading the list of more than 20 colleges and universities. Over the past three years, Oregon State University, University of Oregon and Brigham Young University have topped this list.

Sigala believes this is because fewer students are graduating from high school. “Whether that has an effect, I have no idea,” he said. Enrollment for all colleges and universities in Oregon are down from last year and the high school dropout rate in Oregon is higher than last year as well.

Sigala wants a question answered: “Why is this happening statewide?”

According to Sigala, MHCC is continuing advertising on buses, radio, cable television and newspapers as students can enroll for fall term until Oct 6.

In addition to advertising efforts, which Sigala called “a bigger push for fall,” the school is contacting students who requested information from MHCC but neglected to sign up for classes.

“Sometimes there’s nothing you can do,” Sigala said of many students’ personal reasons for not attending college.

Summer’s Fast Pass may have been responsible for that term’s boost in enrollment. Because of this, MHCC is “looking at the Fast Pass on a broader scale,” said Sigala, where certain classes will be structured in a similar way.

Information regarding the new program will be forthcoming.