Cha says slight enrollment drop at KCC not cause for concern

The first drop in student enrollment in three years at Kaua‘i Community College is not an alarming situation, according to Chancellor Peggy Cha.

“One semester does not a trend make,” she said of the fall enrollment dipping to 1,210 this year, a drop of just 14 students, or just over 1 percent, compared to 1,224 students enrolled in fall 2002.

A good economy, low Kaua‘i unemployment, and the college’s enrollment reflecting the cyclical nature of the island’s economy all are potential reasons for the enrollment dip, she explained.

“It’s something that we’re taking a look at. It is telling us we need to spend a little more time tweaking our schedule, which we are doing for spring,” said Cha.

Not included in the fall enrollment figures are students taking distance-learning courses at the college (via computer or cable television), or the 100 to 150 students being serviced at KCC’s University Center program.

Those University Center students use KCC facilities to take classes offered by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa on O‘ahu or Hilo on the Big Island, or other community colleges in the UH system, she said.

KCC is one of just three UH campuses showing enrollment drops this fall compared to the same time last year, with Maui Community College down 51 students, or 1.5 percent, and UH West O‘ahu College off 13 students, or 1.5 percent.

Overall, the 10-campus UH system saw enrollment grow by 4.7 percent, up 2,288 students for a grand total of 50,765. Statewide, another 29,000 students are expected to take non-credit courses.

UH Hilo saw the largest enrollment growth, 8.8 percent, with 271 more students this fall than last.

Enrollment at Kaua‘i Community College 1999-2003

YEAR — ENROLLMENT — % CHANGE

1999 — 1,142

2000 — 1,052 — -7.9

2001 — 1,185 — 12.6

2002 — 1,224 — 3.3

2003 — 1,210 — -1.1

Source: University of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i Community College