Higher Ed Roundup: Week of March 16 – March 20

More Students Attending Community Colleges…

…As A Survey Discusses How to Keep Them Enrolled

Turmoil in Connecticut over Nonprofit Lender/Guaranty Agency

Briefly Noted…

More Students Attending Community Colleges…

Community college enrollment is up by every measure, according to a recent survey of 120 community college leaders. Conducted by the Campus Computing Project and the League for Innovation in the Community College, the survey found that 71 percent of respondents reported at least a 5 percent increase in head count enrollment over the past year. Around 60 percent of schools also reported that they saw at least a 5 percent increase in full-time students, while 56 percent of schools reported at least a 5 percent increase in part-time enrollment. These enrollment increases have not, however, been met with similar funding boosts. The survey found that 57 percent of respondents saw their funding decrease for this year.

…As A Survey Discusses How to Keep Them Enrolled

While more students are attending community colleges, these enrollment gains will be for naught if institutions do not do a better job retaining their students. The Survey of Entering Student Engagement, released recently by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) found that 14 percent of entering community college students never earn a college credit in their first term, and just 15 percent of those students re-enroll in the next term. The report suggests six principles community colleges should employ to encourage more entering students to attain credits in their first term and stay enrolled for subsequent terms: (1) Create personal connections; (2) Encourage high expectations and aspirations; (3) Develop plans and pathways for success; (4) Create a clear track to become college-ready academically; (5) Engage students in active learning; and (6) Provide an integrated network of academic, financial aid, and social support.

Turmoil in Connecticut over Nonprofit Lender/Guaranty Agency

Reports of inappropriate spending at the troubled Connecticut Student Loan Foundation (CSLF) led the state’s governor to make substantial changes at the nonprofit student loan company/guaranty agency. Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced last week that she would be replacing all six of her appointees to the agency’s 14 member board (the other eight are appointed by the state legislature and other education agencies) effective immediately. Rell’s decision came shortly after reports emerged about a recent audit of the agency that showed it engaged in “disgraceful” spending on salary compensation and perks such as sports tickets and fancy meals. The spending practices uncovered by the audit were especially shocking because the agency had lost a total of $35.5 million over the last five years. The agency’s future is unclear, though the General Assembly is considering a bill that would end CSLF’s ability to both guarantee and originate student loans. Such action may not be necessary, however, if CSLF is eliminated with all other guaranty agencies as part of President Obama’s plan to end the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

Briefly Noted…

• House of Representatives passes bill to reauthorize and expand national service programs.
• Nelnet announces that it will not participate in the PLUS loan auction.
• Department of Education releases its annual digest of information on spending, enrollment, revenue, and several other factors related to all levels of education.