Anyone wondering how the current economy is affecting community colleges need only look at a recent survey conducted by the Campus Computing Project. Almost three-quarters of 120 college presidents and chancellors surveyed said enrollment at their schools was up at least 5 percent over last year. At the same time, 57 percent of them reported their budgets were reduced this academic year, and 61 percent said they had experienced mid-year cuts.

How are they coping with this financial conundrum? Nearly four out of 10 presidents said they’ve added online programs to help control costs, and 89 percent said they’ve added programs to meet student demand. Ninety-three percent of the colleges reported their online enrollments increased this February and March over the same period last year.

The other way colleges are coping is by replacing full-time faculty with adjuncts. Thirty percent reported laying off full-time faculty while more than half said they added part-time instructors last year.

It will be interesting 10 and 20 years from now to look back and assess what impact these changes will have on the quality of learning we are providing our students.

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