Early registration
by Nick Nance

    Early totals for registration indicate TCC has set another enrollment record. As of Aug. 27, the final day of late registration, enrollment for the fall semester was 31,751 district-wide.

    College officials are excited about the school's growth but express a bit of concern as well.

    "We will approach capacity in the near future without additional facilities," Dr. Bill Lace, executive assistant to the chancellor, said.

    The district's totals are up 2,416 students or 8.2 percent from fall 2001. NE Campus surpassed the 10,000 mark with a total of 11,237 students.

    NE Campus saw an increase of 8.3 percent. It was not the campus with the greatest percent of increase but did have the largest numerical increase of 1,100 students.

    "The primary reason our enrollment has seen such an increase traditionally has been the economy," Dr. Larry Darlage, NE Campus president, said.

    Darlage also gives credit to the district's recruitment and retention efforts.

    "Another aspect has been the surge in dual-credit demand from local high school students wanting to take their basic classes while in high school," he said.

    NW Campus has 5,391 students and saw an almost 11 percent increase in enrollment over last year.

    South Campus, the only campus with scheduled public transportation, saw a growth of 9.3 percent over last year. Numerically, this was the second largest increase with over 800 students.

    SE Campus had the lowest percentage of increase at 7.2 percent, enrolling 700 additional students over last year.

    "The increase this fall, while the largest numerically in 20 years, would have been even larger with more classroom space and faculty," Lace said.

    Enrollment is expected to continue to increase in the coming semesters.

    Dr. Ernest Thomas, South Campus president, said, "There are several factors that are currently involved: the tax increase, state initiatives to increase enrollment in higher education, an increase in Tarrant County's population and a continuing weakened economy."

    This will be the fifth consecutive enrollment period in which the college has set a record for enrollment. The official enrollment is calculated on the 12th class day, the official census day for state colleges and universities.

    In fall of 2001, according to figures from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, TCC was the eighth largest college in the state.