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Applications to universities, community colleges increase
by Outspoken on Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:03 am
Applications to universities, community colleges increase
Maine officials chalk up the trend to marketing efforts, high fuel prices and other money worries.
By KELLEY BOUCHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Applications to Maine's universities and community colleges have increased this year due to greater marketing efforts and a flagging economy, school officials say.
The University of Maine System, which includes seven universities and 10 regional outreach centers across the state, has received 4.5 percent more applications for 2008-09 than last year, said John Diamond, spokesman.
The Maine Community College System, which includes seven colleges and nine off-campus centers statewide, has received 8 percent more applications than last year, said Helen Pelletier, spokeswoman.
School officials won't know exactly how the increased interest will affect enrollment until October, when student populations stabilize. "But we do expect to see some increase in enrollment as well," Pelletier said of the community college system, which serves more than 28,000 students annually.
By the start of August, the community college system had received 12,200 applications, which is 900 more than last year. The university system had received 14,309 applications, which is 552 more than in 2007-08.
The university system has maintained fall enrollments of 32,000 to 33,000 students for the last several years, with a record high of 34,000 students enrolled in the fall of 2006, Diamond said. Each year, the university system serves a total of 45,000 students.
"We're at the highest enrollment levels we've experienced in the 40-year history of the university system," Diamond said.
Diamond attributed this year's application increase, in part, to the university system's stepped-up marketing efforts, including television advertisements and outreach programs.
Also, with high fuel prices and other worries about money, many students are finding it more economical to pursue a four-year degree in Maine rather than to go out of state and in a public institution rather than a private one, Diamond said.
The university system is promoting itself among community college students in particular, encouraging them to go for a bachelor's degree after receiving an associate's degree.
"We look at this as a working partnership with the community college system," Diamond said.
Community college officials see a much clearer link between the sluggish economy and student interest. They typically see an increase in applications and enrollment when job prospects grow uncertain and people seek specialized career opportunities and better-paying jobs, Pelletier said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=205092&ac=PHnws
Maine officials chalk up the trend to marketing efforts, high fuel prices and other money worries.
By KELLEY BOUCHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Applications to Maine's universities and community colleges have increased this year due to greater marketing efforts and a flagging economy, school officials say.
The University of Maine System, which includes seven universities and 10 regional outreach centers across the state, has received 4.5 percent more applications for 2008-09 than last year, said John Diamond, spokesman.
The Maine Community College System, which includes seven colleges and nine off-campus centers statewide, has received 8 percent more applications than last year, said Helen Pelletier, spokeswoman.
School officials won't know exactly how the increased interest will affect enrollment until October, when student populations stabilize. "But we do expect to see some increase in enrollment as well," Pelletier said of the community college system, which serves more than 28,000 students annually.
By the start of August, the community college system had received 12,200 applications, which is 900 more than last year. The university system had received 14,309 applications, which is 552 more than in 2007-08.
The university system has maintained fall enrollments of 32,000 to 33,000 students for the last several years, with a record high of 34,000 students enrolled in the fall of 2006, Diamond said. Each year, the university system serves a total of 45,000 students.
"We're at the highest enrollment levels we've experienced in the 40-year history of the university system," Diamond said.
Diamond attributed this year's application increase, in part, to the university system's stepped-up marketing efforts, including television advertisements and outreach programs.
Also, with high fuel prices and other worries about money, many students are finding it more economical to pursue a four-year degree in Maine rather than to go out of state and in a public institution rather than a private one, Diamond said.
The university system is promoting itself among community college students in particular, encouraging them to go for a bachelor's degree after receiving an associate's degree.
"We look at this as a working partnership with the community college system," Diamond said.
Community college officials see a much clearer link between the sluggish economy and student interest. They typically see an increase in applications and enrollment when job prospects grow uncertain and people seek specialized career opportunities and better-paying jobs, Pelletier said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=205092&ac=PHnws
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
