April 19, 2024

SWCC spring enrollment released

By ALEX FELKER

Southwestern Community College students Carter Cooley of Osceola, left, and Chris McColloch of Redfield watch a television show on a laptop on a January morning in the Southwestern Community College student center during a break between classes. Dr. Barb Crittenden reported during last week's SWCC Board of Trustees meeting that spring enrollment numbers are virtually the same as they were in 2017. (CNA file)

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) President Barb Crittenden reported to the college’s board of directors the Spring semester enrollment figures during last week’s regular meeting.

Spring headcount was 1,588, up from 1,587 the year before. Credit hours stayed just about the same too, at around 15,000. SWCC’s 2018 Spring semester began Jan. 16.

“So it is almost exactly what it was in the fall,” said Crittenden. “We’re staying steady.”

State budget discussion

Crittenden also told the board March 6 will be “Community College Day on the Hill” — in which representatives from all 15 of Iowa’s community colleges will travel to the capitol in Des Moines to meet with legislators — prompting a board discussion about the state’s impending budget changes.

To let state legislators know more about what SWCC does and the types of programs it offers, SWCC Vice President of Economic Development Tom Lesan addressed the board about a new strategy the college will be using to lobby the legislature.

“We’ve got a number of fliers — developed at the statewide level — that promote a lot of the different things we’ve got going on,” said Lesan. “And probably the first question is, this is sort of like ‘blowing our own horn,’ — so why would we do that this year?

“Well,” continued Lesan, “anytime there is a year where it’s looking like it is right now (with the state’s budget), we need to let legislators know what is going on with those dollars and how people are impacted by this.”

Lesan and other administrators then outlined to the board the content of the fliers, which includes a number of student testimonials, an explanation of the grants SWCC is able to take advantage of and also the number of people served by the college.

“I would just add that these (the fliers) are relatively new,” said Jerry Smith, District 3 trustee. “And community colleges get a couple of pots of money — they get state and federal aid, but a big chunk is actually gaming money.

“And if you can imagine,” said Smith, “with the gaming money pool, lots of people think that’s fair game. So lots of people are competing for those dollars. And the legislature is just now saying ‘what are we getting for our money there?’

“So consequently,” Smith continued, “I think it’s really important to share with them the outcome, and demonstrate to them that the money has been well spent, has served a lot of people and is making a big difference. ... In my opinion, you can’t take it for granted that they know this stuff is going on.”

During the March 6 Community College Day on the Hill, SWCC will travel to Des Moines with its electrical technology program as representative. One faculty member, one first-year and one second-year student will meet with legislators to discuss SWCC’s programs.

In other SWCC news:

• A public hearing will be held 5:30 p.m. March 13 in the Board Room at SWCC's Creston campus to accept public comment on the college's proposed FY19 budget.

• SWCC CFO Tia Samo reports good progress is being made in transitioning to the college’s new software platform for online classes.

“I feel like we’ve come a long way since January. ... There are new situations everyday that we’re trying to work through, and building new habits,” said Samo. “We have to get through a whole year before we can really get everything figured out. It’s an ongoing process.”