PUHI — Doors to the Kaua‘i Community College open Monday morning, but KCC Chancellor Helen Cox was already excited Friday. “Unofficially, KCC has the highest percentage increase in student enrollment of any of the community colleges, or four-year university,” Cox
PUHI — Doors to the Kaua‘i Community College open Monday morning, but KCC Chancellor Helen Cox was already excited Friday.
“Unofficially, KCC has the highest percentage increase in student enrollment of any of the community colleges, or four-year university,” Cox said, basing her figures on student estimates through Friday morning. “Right now, our estimates will see more than 1,200 students for the spring semester.”
That estimated student total is high for the spring semester, said Earl Nishiguchi, the KCC Dean of Students.
“Last semester, KCC finished second in percentage increase, but right now, unofficially, we are just a bit ahead of Maui Community College,” Nishiguchi said. “And with late registration continuing through next Friday, we should have more than 1,200 students this semester.”
Cox attributes the increase in student enrollment to the poor economy and where the national trend is for people struggling in the poor economy to turn to community colleges as an answer.
She also speculates a lot of unemployed people on Kaua‘i are coming directly to the community college to learn skills which will get them back into the workforce quickly.
“I’d also like to think the people on Kaua‘i are becoming aware of the variety of programs which are available at KCC,” Cox said. “The culinary and nursing programs are already established, but people are discovering what is available in digital arts, electronics, automotive and our transfer programs.”
But the increased enrollment is only one facet which excites Cox.
Work on the installation of an 82 kilowatt photovoltaic system started on the roof of the One Stop Shop just before Christmas, said Gary Nitta, Director of Administrative Services at KCC.
“It was supposed to be finished before New Year’s, but there were some days where weather issues postponed work,” Nitta said.
He said KCC requires about 750 kilowatts when it is at its peak, and under ideal conditions, the PV system being installed should produce about one-seventh of the college’s requirements.
There is no scheduled date when the system will become fully operational because there are still some permits which are pending, Nitta said.
“We are working toward being able to cover our own power requirements,” Cox said. “One-seventh is a chunk of what we use. I guess the new saying is ‘No clouds allowed over KCC.’”
Dust screens surrounding the Bookstore/Office of Continuing Education and Training also came down, revealing the new facade of the building that complements the One Stop Shop.
“The contractor has completed its punch list items and all that remains is the final inspection before the OCET and bookstore can start moving,” Nitta said.
He explained the bookstore will have its own inspections before it can become operational in the new building, but with the inspections and furnishing of the new facility, the OCET people are scheduled to begin moving into the new building in March.
“Everything there should be in place by summer,” Nitta said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
