CMCC is trying a number of techniques
to accommodate
the increase.
AUBURN – After years of double digit enrollment increases, Central Maine Community College expects another 11 percent jump this fall.
It’s a cause for celebration, school officials said. But the small, 39-year-old school may soon have to figure out new ways to accommodate its booming population.
“It’s getting tighter” said Charles Collins, dean of students.
In 1989, then-Central Maine Technical College had 48 students in four programs. Enrollment has increased steadily ever since, with leaps in recent years.
In 2001, the school had 1,430 students. In 2002, it had 1,600.
This fall, officials expect more than 1,750 students to sign up for 26 programs.
The college’s three automobile programs will see a 63 percent jump in students, with many coming from the Portland area after Southern Maine Community College suspended its automotive programs last year. Enrollment is up 31 percent in the clinical lab sciences program, up 30 percent in the building construction technology program and up 21 percent in the early childhood education program.
To help deal with its ever-increasing enrollment, the school added a new, 20,000-square-foot addition with classroom and office space last year.
This year, the college will expand parking and talk with transit officials about getting a bus stop on campus. The college will nearly double the size of its library. It will also open a small cafe in a side building to help alleviate crowding in the college’s single cafeteria.
But enrollment is growing faster than the college can expand.
With more than 1,750 students expected this year and even more likely next year classroom space is becoming a concern. Popular classes and basic required courses often have a waiting list of students. Although college officials would like to add extra sections, the school has no place to the hold additional classes.
“There’s always a demand,” Collins said.
To help fix that problem without more construction, college officials will look into scheduling some of next year’s classes on Friday afternoons, Friday evenings and Saturdays- all traditionally slow periods at the college.
“How much more can we do on the weekends?” Collins said. “It’s a matter of ‘will they come if you build it?'”
This year’s classes would not be affected.
If a new schedule doesn’t solve the problem next year and if enrollment continues to increase, Collins said, the college may have to consider some new construction in the coming years.
ltice@sunjournal.com
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