The headcount at the Columbus region of Ivy Tech Community College topped 5,000 on the first day of fall semester classes. The final number was, 5,028, which represents a 47 percent increase over the 3,428 headcount of the first day of fall 2008 classes. Five-year growth figures are as follows: 2005 – 2, 354; 2006 – 2,495; 2007 – 2,905; 2008 – 3,428; 2009-5,028.
Ivy Tech’s Columbus region includes the counties of Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, and the southern portion of Johnson. Statewide, Ivy Tech enrollments are up 28.6 percent compared with last fall; 110,359 students are enrolled for courses this fall statewide. Each of Ivy Tech’s 14 regions across the state has experienced increased enrollments.
A number of strategies and cost-saving measures have been put in place by the College as it anticipated the unprecedented growth, according to Randy Proffitt, Executive Director of Marketing. Enrollments in all sections of classes have been maximized as much as possible; as many additional faculty and student services personnel have been hired as the budget would allow; processes in admissions and financial aid offices have been streamlined; additional classrooms have been carved out of existing space, he added.
“We are stretching our resources, but we are not sacrificing quality in the process,” said John Hogan, chancellor of Ivy Tech – Columbus. “We are growing responsibly and will do everything in our power to give the best service to individuals seeking to advance their education.”