OTC surprised by new growth surge

Classes fill quickly and the parking lots are packed. It's no illusion Ozark Technical Community College has taken a leap forward in growth. After several years of steadily in-creasing enrollment, the college's fall 2001 enrollment has soared to 19 percent above fall 2000 figures. Moreover, credit hours are up 24 percent.

Mar'Ellen Felin, OTC public information officer, said that this year's enrollment increase caps a decade of phenomenal growth for the school, an approximate 600 percent enrollment increase just in the first 10 years of the school's existence. According to Felin, this jump outpaced school officials' wildest expectations regarding enrollment. "We reached our 10-year projection by year five," she said.

The school's automotive program, computer networking and information systems programs, and health care courses are experiencing the most growth with the jump in enrollment.

According to Felin, several factors account for the increase. "The numbers are a reflection of how much our students have changed," she said. "More students are coming to OTC directly from high school our average student age used to be 35, but that has dropped to an average age of 24."

Full-time students

Dean of Student Develop-ment Bruce Renner agreed. "We're getting more students of traditional college age, and they are full-time students," he said, adding that the full-time student status is the primary reason for the increase in credit hours at OTC. "Our nontraditional student numbers have stayed constant, but our numbers of traditional students continue to increase," he said.

The A+ Program, which allows high school students who meet state requirements for grades, attendance, and clean records to attend community college free of charge, is also part of the reason for the enrollment figure increase. "That program encourages students who would not otherwise attend college to do so," Felin said.

OTC president Norman Myers, PhD, said that the increase is also the direct result of OTC's diligence in serving the needs of area students. "Southwest Mis-souri is enjoying a boom time, with more people moving into the area, and our diverse economy, that's one reason we're up so much," he said. "It's also due to the job we're doing at OTC. We work hard to treat students well, (and ) we have state-of-the-art equipment and a faculty that's second to none."

Job market

OTC's student population must eventually hit the area job market. The latest influx of students comes after a year-long economic downturn and on the cusp of an uncertain national future. "We are seeing people coming back to get skills that will provide them with more than an entry-level job," said Kathy Christy, director of OTC job placement services.

The events of Sept. 11 have already left their mark on the number of job openings, according to Christy. "We are already seeing fewer employment opportunities come through our office since Sept. 11," she said.

Myers isn't worried that the country's nervous economy will affect OTC students' job prospects. "There will always be jobs for people with skills," he said.

Christy believes that while the job market will continue to need OTC students and graduates, it could take more hustle to land the right job. "I think it's going to be more competitive in placing students," she said. "People are going to have to step up to the plate and really want those jobs."

Economic uncertainties

Continued economic uncertainties could lead to higher OTC enrollment, according to Felin. "Community colleges usually have an increase in enrollment as the economy slows down," she said. "People start to see that if they're going to keep their jobs, they must have skills that differentiate themselves from other potential employees."

The student capacity of OTC's main campus is approximately 10,000 students, and the current enrollment is 7,500.

At the school's current rate of growth, OTC will likely outgrow its main campus in just a few years. This encroaching reality makes last spring's levy defeat sting even more. Felin said, "(The levy) would have really helped us meet demand. We will continue to look for other funding sources, such as state and federal grants. We're exploring overnight classes, and additional Saturday and Sunday classes. One thing we will not do is to increase class size."

Renner is concerned about classroom space and parking capacity, particularly during peak hours. "We've had days that you couldn't park 10 more cars here between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.," he said.

Needed space

Myers noted that some badly needed space will be available when the West Wing of the Information Commons opens in August of 2002. The new wing will hold improved student services areas and ten new classrooms. In addition, a multipurpose area, which will hold 500 people in a banquet setting, can be divided into four rooms and used for large groups.

OTC officials agree that they are up to the challenge of meeting demand, both for students and the southwest Missouri employers who need them. "It's extremely exciting to know we're meeting students' needs," Renner said. "Our student surveys indicate a 95 percent rate of satisfaction if we keep our eyes on that number, we'll be fine."