Summer numbers decline at college

Flathead Valley Community College attracted more summer students to its Kalispell campus, but they enrolled in fewer classes than last summer.

The numbers presented to the Board of Trustees reflected a preliminary count. Students still may enroll in the late-starting, second session B that begins Monday.

Faith Hodges, director of enrollment planning and research, said the Kalispell campus attracted 712 full- and part-time students, a 5 percent increase during 2004.

However, the number of full-time equivalents dropped from 60 to 44. Part-time students increased from 614 to 668.

"The average credit load tells the story," Hodges said.

This summer, students took an average of 4.92 credits compared to 5.49 in the summer of 2004.

Lincoln County Campus numbers dropped from 99 students in 2004 to 48 this summer.

The full-time equivalent number dropped from 38 to 13.

Pat Pezzelle, director of Lincoln County Campus, said the drop was due in part to the graduation of 57 students.

He said the campus will have to evaluate the feasibility of holding summer classes without an increase in enrollment.

The drop in student numbers required the college to lay off a custodial worker. The Lincoln campus also dropped its home-building program due to lack of interest.

The program graduated 22 students in May. Pezzelle said that the program was created to retrain Stimson Lumber Co. workers who became unemployed when the mill closed.

He said the house built by students was sold for enough money to pay off the loan with some left over to rejuvenate the program if the mill closure in Eureka creates more interest in home building.

According to Pezzelle, building trades instructor Jerry Marquez accepted a position with Lincoln County.

This fall, the Lincoln County Campus will offer a new program in medical transcription and medical coding. Students who enroll will take a number of these courses online.

"The community up here is very excited about that," Pezzelle said.

He said medical employers in Libby had jobs available.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com .