Enrollment plummets after hurricane

Editor’s note: This report is based upon an enrollment analysis prepared by the Institutional Research Office on Oct. 1, 2005.

In the month since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, more than 3,000 students have withdrawn from fall classes at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. At the beginning of October, credit enrollment is 7,937 students compared to 10,646 students a year ago.

“We’re dealing with some stark realities,” says Gulf Coast President Dr. Willis Lott.

Estimated damage at the college’s four campuses and four centers in Harrison, Jackson, George and Stone counties is $20 million, and Harrison County supervisors told college officials to expect a 40 percent cut in county funding.

More than half of the students who completely withdrew were enrolled at the Jefferson Davis Campus where enrollment dropped to 3,097 students on Oct. 1. Enrollment at the Jackson County Campus is 3,125, a decrease of 684 students. At the Perkinston Campus, 1,281 students are enrolled, a decrease of 22 students.

At the George County Center, enrollment in career programs is 20 students less than last year. At that center, there are 116 academic and technical students, a decrease of 57 students.

Post-secondary enrollment at the West Harrison County Center is 197 students, 27 students below last year in career programs.

The Keesler Center enrollment is down 274 students, an 80 percent drop. Just 64 students are enrolled for the fall term after the base closed, except for essential personnel, immediately following the hurricane. The winter term at Keesler starts in November. Classes have been moved from the Sablich Center, and more personnel and family are being allowed back on base.

The largest percentage drop in enrollment is in the part-time student category – a 30 percent decrease compared to last fall. Full-time enrollment is down 23 percent.

Dr. Joseph Cliburn, associate vice president for Institutional Research, says it's likely that Gulf Coast will slip from the top spot to No. 2 in terms of total credit enrollment among the state’s 15 community colleges.

In fall 2004, Gulf Coast had 10,424 students. Hinds Community College had 9,758, and Northwest Community College had 6,328 students.

To recoup lost enrollment this fall, the college is offering more than 100 new courses in a “fast track” accelerated term that begins Oct. 24, including weekend and online classes.

“We’re very proud of the fact that we are Mississippi’s largest community college. That achievement is more than a number to us. It represents our commitment to the community,” says Colleen Hartfield, vice president of Institutional Relations.

“It’s incredibly sad to see this huge number of students who have been forced to drop out because of life circumstances caused by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina,” Hartfield adds.

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