Dateline: February 12, 2009

CC enrollment up 10 percent over 2008

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Enrollment at Clarendon College has grown more than 10 percent from this time last year, and that growth has been rewarded by the state.

Following the 12th class day, CC had a total enrollment of 1,150 students, which is up from 1,043 in spring 2008.  Enrollment is up 15.8 percent from 993 in spring 2007.

The most important figure though is the number of contact hours CC is generating, which is a method the state uses to determine the college’s funding. Preliminary data showed contact hours have increased 13.1 percent from Spring 2008 and are up over 16 percent from Spring 2007.

“The increase in contact hours is not only due to increased enrollment in academic areas but also higher enrollment in technical programs,” CC President Dr. Bill Auvenshine said.  “We have two new programs this year – cosmetology and wind technology.”

Because of the spring figures, the state recently sent the College more than $3,000 in dramatic enrollment growth funding.

“We have experienced an increase in contact hours since the last appropriation,” Auvenshine said. “It is unusual for Clarendon College to receive a growth incentive.”

CC was one of only 15 colleges in the state to receive this funding. There are 50 community colleges in the state.

Clarendon College’s enrollment growth outpaced other area community colleges, which saw their numbers decline by an average of five percent.

CC also received good news this week when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board released reports this week listing the completing rates and full-time faculty rates of small colleges in Texas. Clarendon led the pack with the highest rates in both categories.

Clarendon College boasted the best completion rate of the nine schools listed in the report with a 94.4 percent

The second highest completion rate was 93.4 percent at Western Texas.  The lowest completion rate among the group was 87 percent.

CC President Bill Auvenshine says these numbers are important because it could one day affect the college’s funding.

“The state is looking at the possibility of basing funding on completion rates rather than on enrollment after the 12th class day,” Auvenshine said. “This isn’t going to happen this year; but if it ever does, Clarendon College will be in good shape.”

Clarendon also led the group with employment of full-time faculty with 82.5 percent.  The lowest faculty rate in the group was 58.9 percent.