Posted on: Thursday, September 16, 2004

UH enrollment up overall

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

While enrollment growth has stalled at the University of Hawai'i's overstretched community college system this semester, growth at the four-year campuses continued an upward trend that began four years ago and has bloated the Manoa campus by almost 18 percent.

The trend leveled off a little this fall, with an increase of 3.7 percent at Manoa over a year ago, the most modest since 2001.

That brings Manoa's enrollment to 20,463 students, 721 more than a year ago, with total enrollment in the 10-campus system standing at 50,802, an increase of just 37 students over fall 2003, or 0.1 percent.

Manoa chancellor Peter Englert said the new figures for his campus show an increase of 3,200 students since fall 2000, which is pushing the state's largest public four-year campus to its limits in classroom space, teacher strength and dorm accommodations.

"We have had virtually no corresponding increase in our instructional budget," Englert said in a statement. "We will be asking for support for academics again in the coming legislative session, and looking at other possible sources of revenue to meet our needs."

Acting UH President David McClain said growth has slowed, but "we still need to respond" to the surges of the past few years — a key priority in the proposed UH biennium budget.

Preliminary figures show enrollment up at the state's two top private four-year colleges, with an expected 2 percent increase at Hawai'i Pacific University's two main campuses and an estimated 3.9 percent increase in undergraduate day students at Chaminade University of Honolulu. HPU enrollment figures will be finalized next week, and Chaminade figures early in October.

Enrollment at UH-Hilo rose by 0.7 percent — 25 students — to a total of 3,365 students this semester. UH-West O'ahu grew by 3.2 percent, or 26 students, for a semester total of 847 students.

Linda Johnsrud, interim associate vice president for planning and policy, said an improving economy and military deployments have a direct effect on enrollment, especially at community colleges.

"Enrollments in higher education typically run counter to growth in the economy and the number of jobs available," said Johnsrud, citing the current 3.3 percent unemployment rate compared with 4.4 percent a year ago, when enrollment rose substantially.

Community college enrollments declined by 2.7 percent overall, with the Big Island's Hawai'i Community College showing the only increase: 4.1 percent over last year, 95 students, for a total of 2,414.

Kaua'i Community College saw the biggest loss, down 9.1 percent, for a total of 1,100.

The other five community colleges also saw decreases:

• Maui Community College, 0.2 percent; enrollment 2,998.

• Honolulu Community College, 1.9 percent; enrollment 4,358.

• Kapi'olani Community College, 4.5 percent; enrollment 7,337.

• Leeward Community College, 2.8 percent, enrollment 6,141.

• Windward Community College, 5.8 percent; enrollment 1,779.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.