Colleges, universities see enrollment rise again

It's rare to find an empty seat at any one of Utah's colleges or universities, especially with the recession pushing more people back to school. And it's only going to get more difficult.

A report released Thursday said that statewide enrollment for spring semester has grown by more than 13,000 students, taxing campuses that are already dealing with dwindling budgets.

The growth couldn't come at a much more difficult time for college administrators, who have endured 18 months of budget cuts, along with unprecedented enrollment growth every semester for the past few years. The combination has stretched resources thin, making it difficult for schools to expand to meet the needs of students. At one college, administrators have contracted with a local motel to provide housing. At another, students have resorted to fundraisers like haircuts to raise money for needed buildings.

"We are worried about maintaining an affordable quality education in such challenging circumstances," said Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg. He said he's not sure how much more institutions can take.

So far, none of the nine public colleges and universities in the state have declared caps on enrollment, primarily because more students means more tuition dollars coming to campus. Even the College of Eastern Utah, which has struggled in the past to recruit students, has started to see a surge in enrollment, with an increase of 345 students this year.

"It's very beneficial," CEU interim president Mike King said Thursday. "It helps justify our institution, it shows we're growing and it shows we're viable. It's a testament to the good programs going on and that we're meeting the needs of the region."

Since 2007, CEU's San Juan campus in Blanding has grown from 239 students to 398 – a 67 percent increase. Its dormitories are full, and officials have recently contracted with a local motel to house students. But Guy Denton, vice provost for the campus, said there is still room for more.

But there are some facets of the system that are bursting at the seams.

Utah Valley University, which grew by 3,108 students from fall to spring semester, already had the smallest amount of square feet per student in the state. The school has requested a new science building, which President Matthew Holland says is necessary to alleviate some of the concern for space.

"At a time when we're all in a pinch, we need to invest in the things that can help grow us out of our economic problems as a state," he said.