Published Jan. 5, 2010<\/SPAN> Winter quarter is under way at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and the campus again is seeing enrollment growth over the same time last year.<\/P> “There are more people coming to us thinking this is a safe harbor and good time to invest in their education” because of the bleak economy and job market, said CBC President Rich Cummins.<\/P> But that does create challenges for the college, which like other institutions in Washington is getting less money from the state because of deep budgets cuts and is facing the possibility of even more reductions, Cummins said.<\/P> Winter classes at CBC started Monday. Enrollment figures for the first day weren’t yet available, but there were nearly 6,800 students signed-up as of Dec. 30.<\/P> That’s an increase of more than 470 students over the same time last academic year.<\/P> The full-time equivalent count, which is used by the state to allocate funding, also was up — from 4,575 to 5,041 students during the same time. That’s an increase of more than 10 percent.<\/P> Part of the reason for the higher enrollment numbers at the beginning of the quarter could be that more students are registering for classes earlier than in the past.<\/P> CBC officials had to cut some programs and limit the number of sections offered because of the state budget cuts, and they’ve encouraged students to register early.<\/P> Fall quarter enrollment was up 17 percent in mid-August over the same time the year before, but that percentage dropped some over the course of the quarter, according to information from CBC.<\/P> Still, the college is seeing more students signing up, which leaves officials trying to do more with fewer resources, Cummins said.<\/P> The college lost about $3.4 million in the last round of state cuts. And Cummins said CBC could lose another $1.5 million in state money for the remainder of the 2009-11 biennium.<\/P> The state Legislature is heading back into session next week.<\/P> More cuts will mean more tough choices, Cummins said. A committee of faculty and staff examined the college’s budget situation and made recommendations during the last round of cuts, and that’ll happen again, he said.<\/P> Still, CBC has had successes despite the tight financial times, Cummins said. For example, the privately funded nuclear technology program started running in the fall.<\/P> “In spite of bad budget news, there’s capacity here. People who know what they want (in terms of training and classes) can come and get it,” Cummins said. “We’ve had a big impact and continue to have a big impact. In spite of troubles, we’re strong.”<\/P> Classes at Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland resume Jan. 11.<\/P>
By Sara Schilling, Tri-City Herald staff writer<\/P>