News Releases
News from Lane Community College
September 17, 2008
EARLY INDICATORS SHOW INCREASED DEMAND AT LCC
Eugene, Ore. - Lane Community College admissions and financial aid staff are accustomed to seeing an increase in students as fall term approaches, but demand is noticeably up this year.
- Early orientation and registration sessions attracted 2,000 students, or 67 percent more than last year’s attendance of 1,200.
- Applications for admission have been completed by 7,897 new students, compared to 6,215 last year at this time, an increase of 27 percent.
- Financial aid applications are up 23 percent. Financial aid staff say their colleagues at other Oregon community colleges report similar increases.
“It's common in a depressed economy and in times of higher unemployment for people to go back to college to seek training or retraining so they can qualify for new employment opportunities,” says registrar Helen Garrett.
A recent study shows that a one percentage-point increase in the unemployment rate leads to an increase in total FTE (full-time equivalent) enrollment of 1.093 percent. The study used an econometric regression model and enrollment data for all Oregon community colleges from 1986-87 through 2005-06.
Lane does not report official enrollment figures until the fourth week of each term.
Classes start September 29.
Lane is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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PIO: Joan Aschim, (541) 463-5591, aschimj@lanecc.edu