For those of you who are baffled at the lack of parking spaces and the increase in directional signs around campus, there is a logical explanation. RWC enrollment has increased by 5.6%.After five years without an increase, there are several explanations for why the enrollment has gone up so much and why the amount of credit hours has also gone up by 6%.
The first likely explanation, offered by one college official, is the bad economy. When the economy is bad, people start to go back to school to further their education to help prevent being laid off, or to get more education in other areas in order to succeed in another job.
Right now, a lot of the increase is due to people readmitting themselves into school. For this reason, the average age at RWC is 28.
Another explanation is the “slight” increase in main campus tuition this year. According to Jenny Young, the Director of Enrollment Services, “There is an expected increase in enrollment for each quarter this year.” Due to the increase, three different orientations were held, consisting of motivational speakers and fourteen guides to assist the students.
For new students, there is something of interest concerning financial aid. Financial aid is not being dispensed until thirty days after the beginning of the quarter. This is to make sure the students receiving financial aid are actually attending their classes. This will not affect current students.
It is said that the new Blue Ash Elementary School had no influence on the increase in RWC enrollment. However, the college is using the elementary school for extra classrooms for night classes, and also as a partnership with the Education Program. As Young stated, RWC’s responsibility is to “branch out to the community.”
And, for those of you who are wondering if the construction took place because of the increase, the answer is no. The college received funding for this project.
RWC is also looking to the future. There is a program on early awareness, targeting kids between Fifth and Eighth grades. “In only a matter of weeks, there will be about seventy eighth graders on tour around campus,” stated Young. Some of the program is directed toward the under privileged, showing them that everyone, in one way or another, can attend college.
Just keep in mind, students, that, as a result of the increased enrollment, parking is more difficult. You may want to arrive on campus a little earlier this year to find a parking spot.