Bangor Daily News, Sept. 27, 2001

Interest in tech colleges rising

Maine schools see jump in enrollment

CALAIS—A weak economy as well as strong interest in a new associate degree program may be two reasons enrollment for degrees as Maine's seven technical colleges jumped 12 percent this fall, compared with last year.

"I have some wonderful news," was how Maine Technical College System President John Fitzsimmons introduced his report to the system's trustees as they met Wednesday at Washington County Technical College.

"This increase is great news for Maine, as well as for Maine employers in need of our graduates," Fitzsimmons said. He noted that policy-makers have grown concerned about the low number of Maine resents with college degrees.

"Clearly the moves we have been making to open the door to college for more Mainers are paying off—freezing tuition and increasing scholarships to make college more affordable, updating and adding new career programs, and adding an option that was missing in Maine, the associate of arts transfer programs," he added.

System officials say much of the growth is due to interest in the associate of arts transfer program established two years ago, as well as creation and expansion of high demand career programs in multimedia and the computer field, allied health and early childhood education. The softening economy also is drawing more students back to school to prepare for new careers.

The associate of arts degree in liberal studies has attracted 1,000 students this fall, up from 600 last fall.

The transfer program is drawing students who are still exploring their career options or need to strengthen their academic skills or want the small classes of a two-year college, system officials say. Like career programs, the liberal arts transfer option is a traditional offering of community colleges.

In all, 6,554 students are enrolled in degree programs this fall at the seven colleges and 10 off-campus centers they operate. Other students enrolled in courses, but not in degree programs, bring the system's total enrollment this fall to 8,839, an 11 percent increase over last year.

The enrollment increases range from 8 percent to 22 percent at the seven colleges. The figures are preliminary, but are unlikely to change significantly. They represent a 12 percent increase in degree-seeking students systemwide.

The youngest of the technical colleges, York County Technical College in Wells, reported the largest increase: 22 percent. Enrollment at Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor rose 17 percent, while at Washington County Technical College, enrollment was up 15 percent.

Northern Maine Technical College in Presque Isle reported a 12 percent hike, and Central Maine Technical College in Auburn increased 11 percent. At Southern Maine Technical College, South Portland, and Kennebec Valley Technical College, Fairfield, enrollment has grown about 8 percent.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a program in heritage, environmental and adventure tourism at Washington County Technical College. The program was developed in response to the growth in outdoor recreation and heritage-related tourism in Down East and northern Maine. An interdisciplinary curriculum, it combines academic course work with specialty instruction. Included in the curriculum is preparation for a variety of state and national certifications, including Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Aid Responder and other certifications. Both one-year certificate and a two-year associate in applied science degree will be offered in the program.

Graduates also may take advantage of articulation agreements with four-year programs, including recreation management at the University of Maine at Machias, and the yacht operations program at Maine Maritime Academy. In addition, exchange opportunities have been developed with St. Andrews Community College in New Brunswick.
• Heard a report by Joyce Hedlund, president of Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor, on an agreement her college has reached with the University of Southern Maine.

"The University of Southern Maine will be offering courses that build upon our associate degrees. The courses are aimed at leadership development in the industrial and technology sector. So a student who has graduated from Eastern Maine Technical College, or any other technical colleges will be able to continue their education towards a bachelor's degree. It's particularly attractive to people who want to move up within their organizations," she said.

Hedlund said EMTC would be the center of the program. "We are hoping as this is successful in the Bangor area that we will be offering courses in some of our outreach sites," she said. The course work will lead to a bachelor's degree in applied technical leadership.

Meanwhile, trustees' chairman Jana Lapoint praised the technical colleges' numerous activities to help students and staff members deal with the terror attaches of Sept. 11 and to lend their support through blood drives and fund raisers.

The colleges held commemorations and vigils on campus, made counselors available to students and staff, and organized discussion forums.