FVCC enrollment dips slightly

Following two years of steady growth, Flathead Valley Community College experienced a slight decline in this year’s full-time fall enrollment.

Numbers reported Tuesday showed 1,349 full-time students enrolled so far this semester, a loss of 45 students and a decrease of 3.3 percent from this time last year. Overall enrollment, or headcount numbers, showed a smaller decrease of about .3 percent for a total of about 2,260 students. That number includes part-time, online and high school duel-enrollment students.

FVCC President Jane Karas attributed the decline to an improving economy and a decreasing unemployment rate statewide. Both, she said, are causing students who need to work to seek part-time employment, and consequentially, part-time schooling by taking fewer than 12 credits a semester.

Another hit to enrollment numbers, Karas said, came from the college’s decision to restructure their online courses, eliminating some of the options previously offered and driving down numbers.

Karas does expect enrollment numbers to improve by the end of the semester. She said some classes were late to start and are still accepting students.

FOLLOWING A trend in recent years of steady decrease, community colleges across the state experienced a sudden rise in enrollment in fiscal year 2017.

Statewide, community colleges reported an average increase of 4.9 percent from fiscal year 2016 enrollment, including a 2.8 percent increase at FVCC.

One contributor to FVCC’s growth last year was the success of its Running Start Program, which allows high school students to take college credits at little to no cost. The program has continued to grow, according to Karas, and as more high school students take part, they also contribute to the college’s headcount.

The addition of a $700,000 dormitory on campus offers hope for Karas of attracting more high school graduates to the school in coming years.

As the local economy continues to improve and more students seek part-time employment, Karas said she feels trends indicate that headcount numbers are remaining steady and students are simply taking fewer credits.

That trend has not yet been confirmed as the state is still awaiting the Montana University System’s statewide numbers for fall of 2017.

FVCC enrollment hit record levels in 2010 with more than 2,500 students. The college then experienced a decline in overall headcount each fall from 2011 until 2015.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.