News Releases
News from Lane Community College
For release Tuesday, September 29, 2009
LCC READY FOR FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
EUGENE - As of Monday, credit registrations were up 23 percent and credit headcount was up 18 percent at Lane Community College. Classes begin today.
"Enrollment has risen with the unemployment rate," said President Mary Spilde. "Students are looking for better job skills or an affordable start to college. We're working to ensure that everyone has access to the programs they need to improve their options."
Financial Aid applications are up by 49 percent. By Sept. 15, Lane had processed more than 7,700 grants, up from 5,400 last year at the same time.
State economists predict a jobless recovery through mid 2013. Students are enrolling at community colleges to skill up and be ready when the job market recovers. State support remains critical for community college job training and overall economic recovery, says Spilde. However, colleges received a 10 percent decrease in state funding last year and despite increased tuition revenue, further losses in the current biennium could result if tax measures headed for the ballot are successful.
Lane is working to meet demand. The college added more than 20 credit classes on main campus and more than 15 credit classes downtown. Florence and Cottage Grove centers have openings, as do Continuing Education and the Business Development Center. Winter term placement testing also opens today to help students get a head start on next term.
Staffing was added in service areas such as counseling and more registers were opened in the bookstore. Faculty and staff wearing bright pink "How Can I Help You?" stickers are roaming campus to assist students who have questions.
Commuters are encouraged to take the bus or carpool since parking will be tight. For those who must drive, gravel lots have been added on main campus. LCC offers a bus pass for credit students, and a temporary fall pass for employees. LTD is running extra buses on heavily used routes, and Civic Stadium is available as a park-and-ride site for LCC riders. ODOT will issue traffic alerts on tripcheck.com, flashalert.net, 1660 AM radio, and Twitter.com/oregondot.
"This is the students' moment and we want to make sure that they have the best experience possible," said Spilde.
Lane is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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Media contact: Joan Aschim, PIO, aschimj@lanecc.edu (541) 463-5591
