• Off-site partnerships can ease enrollment stresses. Northwest Vista College was fortunate to lease a centrally located facility and offered a series of courses for students taking courses there. Students were able to complete three or more courses in a twoday format each semester.
• Consider reduced tuition for non-peakhour courses. Several years ago, Northwest Vista College, along with the other Alamo Colleges, provided reduced tuition for students who took courses in the afternoon (2 to 5 p.m.) when classrooms were more readily available.
• Offer courses early in the morning. Northwest Vista College faculty eagerly volunteered to teach 6:30 a.m. courses several years ago when enrollment growth outstripped classroom space. Offering these courses in a two-day schedule allowed students to complete two courses each semester.
In record numbers, workers looking to expand their skills and college students looking for an affordable education are turning to community colleges during this recession. We owe it to them to plan to take them in and to plan for their success.
— Dr. Elaine Lang is director of enrollment services at Northwest Vista College. The forum is sponsored in partnership with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) at The University of Texas at Austin.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
