District experiences growth, greatest at SE
By Chris Taylor, managing editor

     Official enrollment at TCC is up district wide according to official reports. As of the official day of record, figures show a significant increase in full-time enrollment.
     District-wide enrollment increased 860 from 26,047 students last year to 26,907 total students this semester. Full-time equivalency rose from 15,167 in 2000 to 15,745 this year.
     SE Campus had the largest increase in total students, from 6,797 to 7,321, an improvement of 528 students. NE Campus enrollment rose from 9,270 to 9,399, an increase of 129 students. NW Campus increased from 4,157 to 4,274, an increase of 117. South Campus enrollment increased to 7,118 from 7,006 a year ago, an increase of 112 students.
     Juan Torres, SE Campus registrar, credited the increase to “growth in the Arlington/Mansfield area.”
     “Not as many students are going to four-year universities which also helps our enrollment,” he said “We are pleased with the increase, but we still think we could have had more students, considering that our area is still developing.”
     Dr. Cathie Jackson director of admission and records, said, “We are delighted with the increase.
     “Emphasis on student services, academics and phenomenal growth have contributed to the enrollment increase as did the need for a skilled work force.
     “A healthy enrollment is important for TCC because the college receives state funding that is based on the number of contact hours,” she said.
     A contact hour is the amount of time spent in class by each student.
     Dr. Michael Saenz, president of NW Campus, said, “NW Campus will definitely grow more because the area around NW Campus is mostly undeveloped, leaving plenty of room for growth.”
vDr. Larry Darlage, NE Campus president, was excited about enrollment on NE and in the District.
     “Increased enrollment is always good. We have almost 200 more students than last fall,” he said.
     Dr. Darlage suggested that the healthy economy and TCC’s community activities may have contributed to the increase.