This content was published: June 28, 2002. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Enrollment Continues to Reach New Highs
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – For the 22nd straight term, Portland Community College’s enrollment has surged to new heights.The growth in the student population at Oregon’s largest post-secondary institution for spring term leaped by 18.8 percent in full-time equivalent (FTE) from the previous year. The college also grew by 13.5 percent in total headcount. The total headcount number stands at 46,239 students, while the total FTE is at 7,165. "This unprecedented growth demonstrates that the community views PCC as a valuable resource. On the flip side, this type of growth adds to the college’s fiscal challenge,"said PCC President Jesus "Jess"Carreon. "We continue to serve more and more students with less and less resources at our disposal. It is our goal to continue to be affordable and accessible to everyone, but we are at the end of our proverbial rope. The college is stretched as tight as it can go and there is a point of diminishing return without added financial support from the state."By comprehensive campus, the breakdown is: The Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road, saw the biggest increase, growing by 33.6 percent in FTE to 1,399 and 26.3 percent in total headcount to 7,595. Last year at this time, enrollment stood at 6,013 for total headcount and 1,047 in FTE. The Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St., increased by 1,108 in total headcount to 8,632 this term – an increase of 14.7 percent. The FTE surged by 20.4 percent to 1,393, up by 236 from a year ago. The Sylvania Campus, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave., also sustained large increases in student enrollment. The largest PCC campus grew by 16.1 percent in FTE and 10 percent in headcount. Spring term, Sylvania served 2,624 FTE, up by 365 from last year, and 13,034 total students, which is up by 1,185. The PCC Open Campus sustained large growth, as well. Total FTE for the campus rose by 11.3 percent to 1,703 while total headcount grew 12.7 percent to 23,200. The Open Campus provides short-term, non-credit and customized training throughout the PCC district.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »