| January 6, 2009 Community colleges see double-digit growth
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(NECN: Amy Sinclair, South Portland, Maine) - While many businesses are struggling during these tough economic times, one institution is booming. Enrollment for Maine's community college system is up -- way up. Numbers have jumped 40%. But, the president of Maine's community college system says without help in a hurry, they will have to turn away many applicants.
Classes don't start until next week, but the quiet belies explosive growth in the number of applicants seeking an education.
System president John Fitzsimmons says the combination of rising unemployment and dreary job prospects has record numbers of non-traditional applicants hoping to upgrade their skill set. While the university system wants to educate as many students as possible, they are a victim of the bad economy, too.
More information about enrollment trends at Maine's community colleges is available by clicking here.
The community college system has just slashed $2.9 million from its current budget because of the state budget crisis and they may lose as much as 10% of their state funding in the next budget cycle.
Today, Maine's Appropriations Committee heard from Fitzsimmons and other education leaders, all pleading with lawmakers to preserve as much of their funding as possible. Because 96% of their graduates stay and work in Maine, Fitzsimmons says there's an excellent return on the state's investment.
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