Fall enrollment shows slight increase
by Courtney Bullard, co-news editor
Fall enrollment was among the topics of
discussion at the September 13 meeting of the South Plains
College Board of Regents.
The enrollment has increased by 2.4
percent, with a major increase in the dual-credit program
from 996 students in 2006 to 1,218 this fall.
“We are pleased to see an increase in
the fall enrollment at South Plains College,” said Dr.
Kelvin Sharp, SPC president. “I am glad to see us back in a
trend where we are growing some.”
There are now more high school dual
credit courses available. Levelland now has the most dual
credit courses offered with 13, while Frenship is second
with 12.
Dr. Sharp presented his report on the
healthcare situation for community colleges. Governor Rick
Perry slashed the college budgets, which would cut out
healthcare for the faculty. Lt. David Dewhurst is trying to
reverse the situation, along with many state
representatives. Without this government funding, tuition
costs could be increased to offset the deficit. Dr. Sharp
has been constantly communicating with these representatives
to keep employees updated.
Dr. Sharp’s report also included the
progress of the construction on the Fine Arts Building. They
anticipate the construction will be completed by the spring.
The Board also voted to allow an architect to draw up plans
for construction on an addition to the Communications
Building. They will then form an estimate and present it to
the Board. If the Board accepts the plan, construction will
then proceed.
Stephen John, vice president for
institutional advancement, then made a presentation to the
Board regarding the 50th Anniversary All-College
Reunion. The events for former students to “recollect and
reconnect” will be on Nov. 9. This invitation-only event
will honor those founders and their families who helped
establish SPC.
“It is like a 50th wedding
anniversary,” said Mike Box, chairman of the Board of
Regents, “like bringing the family back.”
All the regents share Box’s excitement
for the 50th Anniversary of SPC.
“I think it’s a significant milestone
to have reached,” said Dr. Sharp. “I’m especially proud of
its growth. I don’t think that 50 years ago the founders
would have thought we would be enrolling 9,300 students.”
At the beginning of the meeting, Linda
Patton took her oath of office, becoming the first female
regent.
Regent Charles Miller said he is very
excited to have Patton on the Board. He feels that she has a
lot of connections with the college and a huge commitment to
the school.
Dick Walsh, provost for the Byron
Martin Advanced Technology Center, is retiring after 15
years of working for SPC. He made a very humble report to
the Board in his farewell presentation. The Board expressed
their sentiments, and all said that they will miss him
greatly.
