EVERETT – Getting into college in Washington won’t be an issue just for large public universities on the west side of the mountains as enrollments swell in the next five to 10 years.
Students at community colleges may be accepted, but could have increasing trouble enrolling in the classes they need.
Trying to serve more people with a dwindling percentage of the per-student cost paid by the state is a critical issue, the presidents of Edmonds and Everett community colleges told education and civic leaders on Thursday.
The session covered a variety of issues from how to handle growing enrollments to rising tuition.
One way to increase local access to college courses is to bring a four-year university to Snohomish County, a countywide advisory committee recommended in August. Another possibility is expanding existing relationships with universities such as Central and Western Washington, which already offer programs at local community college campuses.
“There are very big questions about how best to serve the needs of students in the future, and the feedback can be helpful,” EvCC President Charlie Earl said.
EdCC President Jack Oharah said his college has been accepting students beyond what the state pays for since 1981.
“We have just about pulled every rabbit out of every hat we have ever had,” Oharah said.
Eventually, quality of education will suffer, said Connie Niva, an Everett resident who serves on the Washington State University Board of Regents.
“The fact is, the pie is too small,” she said. “It’s not how the pie is cut up.”
Enrollment at Edmonds and Everett community colleges has increased more than 16 percent in the past six years. About 40 percent of high school graduates in the county attend Edmonds or Everett community colleges, and the largest high school graduating class is yet to come, in 2010.
Enrollment growth has been paid for mainly by increased tuition and fees, with modest increases in state funding. At EvCC, for instance, only 4,300 of the college’s 6,100 students are supported by state funds.
Access to high-demand programs is also becoming more difficult. EvCC reported that it received more than 200 qualified applicants for 40 slots in its nursing program.
In the next five years, the demand for junior slots will grow in every region of the state, according to a state study. Enrollment projections suggest that 500 more slots are needed each year to close the access gap between Snohomish and north King counties.
Earl said he would like to see EvCC play a role in helping students gain access to upper-division university courses close to home.
“I think at this point it’s the determination of how best to serve students rather than our institutional needs,” he said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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