Slight decline in Big Bend Community College spring enrollment

MOSES LAKE — Enrollment at Big Bend Community College for spring quarter 2018 was lower than enrollment for the same period in 2017. Enrollment was also down in winter quarter.

Enrollment was 1,923 students on April 3, down 3.6 percent from the same date in 2017. School funding is based on a formula which counts full-time and part-time students, called full time equivalent. The college’s FTE count was 1,555 for spring quarter, down 3.2 percent.

“This is partly a reflection of our Running Start student trends. Although the number of Running Start students is slightly down this year, their percentage of our total FTEs is up,” according to information from the college board of trustees meeting April 12.

Running Start allows qualifying high school students to take community college classes. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors. “Last year Running Start students made up 19 percent of our total FTEs. This quarter they make up over 23 percent of total FTEs.”

Big Bend does have more full-time students in spring quarter 2018 than it did in 2017, the report said.

For winter quarter 2018 BBCC had the equivalent of about 1,894 students, down 3.2 percent from the winter quarter 2017. The number of full time and part time students actually on campus over the winter was 2,507, a 4.2 percent drop from winter quarter 2017.

Enrollment for fall quarter 2017 was the equivalent of 1,925 students. Summer 2017 enrollment was the equivalent of 323 students; summer quarter is the start of the academic year.

In other business at the regular board meeting, Linda Schoonmaker, vice-president for finance and administration, said college officials will submit requests to replace the elevator in the administration building (Building 1400) and to upgrade some sidewalks and asphalt trails. The elevator is original to the building, which dates from the 1950s, and is in need of replacement, she said. The sidewalks and asphalt trails are in need of repair or repaving.

College officials must get permission from the state agency that oversees construction on college campuses before proceeding with either project, Schoonmaker said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.