College enrollment up in down economy

Enrollment is up at all of Utah's public colleges and universities in a year when budgets are down.

"When job opportunities lessen, people return to college for more education or training," said Utah Commissioner of Higher Education William A. Sederburg. The upward trajectory was expected by officials as a spiraling economy sends many people back to school, although a nearly 7.5 percent increase, adding 9,548 total students to the system, will be tough to handle after more than $155 million in budget cuts.

Utah legislators have said that enrollment growth on top of a budget cut gives schools a double whammy because students are "entering our schools and staying there until the job market improves," said Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville. "We're asking these institutions to take the hits that we are, but also asking them to provide services for 11,000 more students."

The growth is expected to continue throughout the year, but numbers are typically reported in February, which doesn't reflect the slight downturn from a big fall enrollment increase.

Salt Lake Community College witnessed the biggest change this year, coming out 2,580 students ahead of last year. But that number doesn't account for students enrolled in noncredit courses, said SLCC President Cynthia Bioteau. She said the growing community college provides services to another 20,000-plus individuals not counted each year.

Every school saw an increase, including the College of Eastern Utah, where the 53 additional students make a difference when enrollment totals less than 2,000 students.

"This systemwide growth highlights the critical role higher education in Utah plays in assisting our citizens in retooling and transforming their skills to increase their marketability in a challenging marketplace," Bioteau said.

Holdaway, who co-chairs the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, has pleaded with colleagues to realize the investment potential higher education could have in the current economic situation for the state, saying that for every dollar spent on education, $7 is returned to the state.

"Any money spent on higher education should be seen as an investment rather than an expenditure," he said.

Significant increases were also seen in the budget-related full-time equivalent counts, which approximates the number of students enrolled full time (15 semester credits for undergraduates and 10 for graduate students) per semester. FTE's increased by 4,695 from spring 2008. The Utah System of Higher Education uses FTE numbers to obtain funding for students in Utah schools.

"There is serious concern as we plan for the 2009-2010 academic year," Sederburg said. "Students who are prepared and eager will be unable to enroll simply because course offerings will have to be reduced."

The higher education system includes nine of Utah's 10 public colleges and universities in the enrollment summary. The Utah College of Applied Technology calculates enrollment numbers differently. Those numbers will be reported separately, but have also increased statewide.

E-MAIL: wleonard@desnews.com