For
Immediate Release
9/16/2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
ANSON C. SMITH AT 203-332-5229
HCC Enrolls 6,197 Students
Sets New Record - Up
134 Percent Since
Downtown Move
BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College
this semester has set a new enrollment record, registering 6,197
students at its downtown Bridgeport campus.
The number
represents an increase of 10.5 percent over the 5,609 students who registered
in the Fall of 2009, and a 134 percent increase over the 2,653 who registered
in the Fall of 1996, the college’s last semester at its old Barnum Avenue
campus in the city’s east end.
“We’re
delighted that we are able to meet the needs of so many students,” said
HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki. “Today, more students are considering
community colleges as families tighten their financial belts,” she said. “They
realize that they can cut their tuition bills almost in half by going to a
community college for two years, and then transferring to a four-year school.”
The enrollment
growth has taxed the capacity of the HCC garage. Some 1,100 students attend
the college Mondays through Thursdays at 11 a.m., crowding the garage more
than ever before.
On these days, cars can be seen parked on the top level of the garage,
something that was uncommon in previous semesters. During peak
times the college’s garage is filled to capacity. (President
Gliniecki plans to expand the college’s “green” activities
by encouraging HCC employees and students to share rides or use public
transportation.)
This is the second consecutive semester in which the college set a
record enrollment. Last Spring’s enrollment of 5,903 was a record-setting
figure as well.
This semester’s full-time enrollment reached the 2,348 mark,
up 5.3 percent over last fall’s 2,230. Part-time enrollment hit
the 3,849 mark, up 13.9 percent from last Fall’s 3,379.
Full-time equivalent enrollment at the college reached the 3,602 mark,
up 10.3 percent over last fall’s 3,266.
The new results show that women still outnumber men at the campus.
Some 62.3 percent of the enrollees are women.
HCC continues to attract a diverse student body. Of those reporting
their ethnicity, 58.1 indicated they are Black, Hispanic, Asian,
Native American/Alaskan, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, multiple race or
other race. Of these, Black students comprised 27.6 percent;
Hispanic students, 24.2 percent; Asians, 3 percent; Native Americans/Alaskan
Natives, 0.2 percent; other race, 1.8 percent, and multiple races,
1.2 percent.
The college still draws most of its students from Bridgeport (2,857
students, 46 percent) and Stratford (801 students, 12.9 percent). These
towns are followed by Shelton (404 students, 6.5 percent); Milford
(401 students, 6.5 percent); Trumbull (337 students, 5.4 percent);
Fairfield (272 students, 4.4 percent); Monroe (165 students, 2.7 percent);
Ansonia (166 students, 2.7 percent); Derby (80 students, 1.3 percent);
Seymour (73 students, 1.2 percent); and Easton (23 students, 0.4 percent).
Housatonic is located less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte.
8 (Exit 1) in downtown Bridgeport, a block from the Arena at Harbor
Yard.
