CC reports higher enrollment this fall

Enrollment is up at Clarendon College this semester, and college officials are looking at more growth in the future.

“It’s good, and it’s going to get better,” said CC President Myles Shelton.

Preliminary data shows enrollment is up 9.32 percent over the 2001 fall semester. A total of 974 students were signed up for classes on the home campus, at the Pampa Center, and at various off campus sites.

The main campus grew 5.23 percent from 363 students to 382, and the Pampa Center was up 8.19 percent from 171 in 2001 to 185 this year.

Shelton said all the dormitories are full, and several students were given permission to live off campus due to a lack of available beds. But those permissions can be rescinded if space opens up in the residence halls.

“If we lose any students in the dorms, we will pull some of those back to live on campus,” he said.

Shelton said many activities are underway that are anticipated to boost the college’s enrollment by next fall. Those include building a new 80-bed residence hall and adding three new programs.

A Lady Bulldog softball program is expected to attract between 25 and 30 new students, an Equine Science program will draw about 40 students, and the addition of Intercollegiate Rodeo should bring in 50 to 60 students, Shelton said.

“Suddenly, all the dorm facilities will be filled again,” he said, noting that there is still a lot of work to be done before the college is ready for that growth.

“We have to be ready to handle those extra students in the classrooms, make sure there are enough tables and chairs, and make sure there are plenty of forks, spoons, and plates in the cafeteria.”

This semester’s total enrollment is the second highest for CC in the last ten years. The best year was in 2000 when 1,001 students were taking classes.

In other CC news, the Board of Regents met last Thursday, September 19, for a regular meeting. The 2002 tax rate was set at 0.18324 per $100 valuation, the same rate the College District has levied since 1999.

The board reviewed a proposal from AMA Online related to the community TIF grant. The proposed project total is $137,777, and Clarendon College is the fiscal agent for the grant.

A new Buick Park Avenue was purchased from Suna AutoMall for $29,481.

The new Fitness Center was discussed, and the board approved spending $28,486 to purchase equipment and $19,400 to install Tuflex rubberized flooring in the building. The college also purchased surplus exercise equipment from South Plains College at significant savings. The Fitness Center, located in the old Vo-Tech Building south of Bulldog Gym, is expected to be completed in November.

Preliminary plans and cost estimates for the proposed Livestock & Equine Center were reviewed. The board wanted some minor changes made to the plans and are looking to cut the $1.25 million estimated price tag of the building down to $1 million.

Dean of Students Joel Zehr discussed a proposed contract with the Donley County Sheriff’s Department to take over campus security. Details of the proposal are still being worked out.

The board authorized an auction to be held to sell off surplus property from the Clarendon and Pampa campuses. The auction will be either the last week of October or the first week of November in Pampa.

The regents voted to ratify the hiring of Leslie Stoker as the new teaching assistant for Agriculture & Equine Sciences and of Ronnie Lewis as the new groundskeeper.