Build It and They Will Come

Rising Enrollment at Non-Traditional Colleges Sparks Campus Renovations

An education from a non-traditional college used to be considered inferior to one from a large school. But with enrollment at community colleges and regional campuses from Washington to Maine on the rise, that perception is changing. As enrollment grows, these colleges are renovating classrooms and other facilities to accommodate larger student bodies.

The most obvious cause of the enrollment surge at non-traditional, two-year schools could be rising tuition costs at traditional four-year colleges. According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the average annual tuition for a public four-year college is almost $6,000. In contrast, the average community college tuition is $2,300. But while that’s a significant savings, Michele Imhoff, director of public affairs at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, says there is more to selecting a college than the price tag.

“About 93 percent of our graduates have jobs within three months of graduating,” explains Imhoff. “This is very important to students; they want to know that they can get a job after graduation.”

The three-story renovation updated the academic and administrative building, giving students more space for research and study.

Learn More

Indeed, Cincinnati State’s enrollment has increased 10 percent over the last five years, and now stands at approximately 14,000 students. As a whole, enrollment at community colleges in Ohio has grown during each of the last 10 years and by 20 percent over the last five years.

While job placement is a key factor for community college students, some college freshmen are heading to regional campuses, such as Ohio State University’s Marion campus, because their entry requirements are less strict than those of the main campus.

“Not only is Ohio State University’s main Columbus campus the most selective public university in Ohio, but it’s also more selective than all but a small handful of private colleges,” says Matt Moreau, director of admissions and financial aid at Ohio State’s Marion campus. “About 30 percent of our freshman this year attended our campus because they were not able to gain admission at Columbus for their first year.”

OSU-Marion is now on pace to see the largest student body in its 50-year history. In fact, the regional campus has had a nearly 45 percent increase in enrollment over the past 10 years. In addition to OSU-Columbus’ selective admission, Moreau points to his campus’ affordability, small class size and rural setting as key reasons why students seek it out.

Community College Campuses and Programs Grow with Enrollment

Student rosters aren’t the only things expanding at non-traditional campuses. Course offerings and classrooms are being added to not only serve current students, but to attract new students as well.

In 2004, Cincinnati State added a 218,000-square-foot technology and learning center to accommodate the college’s culinary and IT programs as well as a student lounge and cafeteria. The college also built facilities to house specialized audio-video technology, computer graphic design and other multimedia programs. Cincinnati State is also creating a simulation laboratory to give students in its construction program a new perspective on building science.

“We’re redesigning what used to be three classrooms into a simulation lab in which all of the components of the building will be exposed,” says Jon Gothard, associate project manager with SHP Leading Design (SHP). “Students will be able to see the HVAC system, the ductwork, the support beams—everything that is usually behind a wall will be in full view.”

“It’s wonderful because as these students learn about construction methods and components, they can see how the walls and ceiling of the classroom are constructed,” adds Imhoff. “Instead of looking at an illustration, they are standing in an actual construction environment.”

As enrollment increases at community colleges across the nation, Cincinnati State is no exception. To help attract and serve students, Cincinnati State is adding course offerings and classrooms throughout the college.

Learn More

Cincinnati State is also considering future campus renovations to coincide with program additions. The college is one of the first educational institutions in the state to offer a renewable-energy major, and Imhoff thinks this could inspire additional simulation labs as well.

Regional Campuses Offer Large Benefits in Small Settings

Regional college campuses are essentially mini universities offering two- and four-year degree programs, and while some students transfer to the main campus to complete their education, others receive a degree without leaving the regional campus.

“We added a general degree in business management to our curriculum about seven years ago,” explains Moreau. “Of the 170 majors offered at OSU, English, history, psychology, elementary education and general business can be completed entirely at an OSU regional campus. The remainder of the majors require anywhere from one to three years of study at the Columbus campus.”

OSU-Marion has also renovated several campus buildings to meet student demand.

“The Morrill Hall renovation updated the three-story academic and administrative building, giving students more classroom, research and study space that was severely needed,” says Moreau.

“The first floor of the building was originally just a ring of classrooms and some offices,” explains Andrew Maletz, vice president of SHP. “We opened this up and created a more public atmosphere so that students feel welcome. Natural lighting was significantly increased, and we eliminated the industrial and confining atmosphere of the original building. It also makes it easier for students to meet with staff.”