Community college adjusts smoothly to record enrollment
By BRETT ROWLAND
CRYSTAL LAKE – After struggling last year to cope with unprecedented growth, McHenry County College is adjusting to a larger student population.
Enrollment at MCC has jumped 27.8 percent in recent years, going from a head count of 5,331 students in 2004 to 6,811 in 2009, according to the college’s official numbers. The largest increase happened from 2008 to 2009, when enrollment rocketed 26.7 percent from 5,374 to 6,811.
This fall, head count enrollment was up about 1 percent to 6,922. MCC officials said they were ready for the challenge this year, and students could see a difference on the first day.
Registration problems plagued the start of the 2009 fall semester. And parking lots were overflowing during the first few weeks of classes last year. MCC officials cited planning for the smooth first day this semester.
“We were prepared for it,” said Mike Clesceri, director of campus public safety. “We learned from the past and improved.”
Parking lots were mostly filled, but finding an open space wasn’t a challenge for most students Monday.
“I found a spot right away,” said Rachel Colon, 18, of Crystal Lake.
Although her schedule has some long gaps between classes, which will mean plenty of down time on campus, Colon said she was able to get into most of the courses that she needed. She plans to major in biology and eventually transfer to University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rapid enrollment growth from fall 2008 to fall 2009 was due to the combination of a weak economy and the college’s Promise Program, which paid the tuition of incoming high school students able to meet certain requirements and perform community service. About 930 students participated in the Promise Program in the 2009 fall semester, twice as many as expected. That demand – coupled with several other factors – drained available funds, forcing the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation board to suspend new enrollment in the program.
While participation in the Promise program has dwindled, enrollment at MCC has continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace. Officials cite the continuing weak economy, relatively low tuition costs, and flexible classes for the increases.
Of the 6,922 credit students registered for the fall semester, 46 percent are full time and 54 percent are part time. Most – 4,912 or 71 percent – are returning students. About 18 percent are recent high school graduates and 11 percent are nontraditional students taking classes at MCC for the first time, according to statistics provided by the college.
Though the college is able to accommodate the influx of students, campus space remains a concern for both instructors and administrators. In presentations to MCC’s Board of Trustees this summer, several department heads commented on the need for more room.
MCC fall enrollment by year
2010: 6,922
2009: 6,811
2008: 5,374
2007: 5,275
2006: 5,414
2005: 5,444
2004: 5,331
Source: McHenry County College
Students walk to class through a full parking lot Monday, the first day of the fall semester at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake. MCC is adjusting to a larger student population after struggling to cope with last year’s record enrollment of 6,811 students. This fall, enrollment was up 1 percent from 2009.
