FAIRMONT - When the economy is down, enrollment at post-secondary institutions traditionally goes up.
"Other people's pain is often our gain," said Gary Gillin, dean of communication and enrollment at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. "We wish it didn't have to be that way ... but we're glad to be a partner with these local communities."
Combined enrollment at Minnesota West's campuses and learning centers is up 11 percent this fall from the same time last year, that's a gain of 198 full-time equivalent students. One of the college's three learning centers is in Fairmont at Southern Minnesota Educational Campus, and the closest campus is in Jackson. Others include Canby, Granite Falls, Pipestone and Worthington.
"I knew we'd be up," Gillin said. "I've been doing this 22 years. When the economy struggles, our enrollment goes up."
Presentation College's campus in Fairmont is up by 72 new students - about 9 percent from this time last year.
"I think more people are staying local," said Traci Lardy, dean of students at Presentation, "but we are drawing them in from outside the area also."
At Iowa Lakes Community College, the head count has increased 6.7 percent from fall 2008. "We've seen a lot of dislocated workers," said Julie Carlson, dean of students at Iowa Lakes. "... I think the adult students are seeing this as their chance to fulfill a college goal they've always had or a chance to upgrade their skills for when the economy turns around and they can return to the job market."
Gillin agreed. While enrollment has increased across the board, the greater percentage are nontraditional students.
"We have one- and two-year programs, so it's quick and easy for someone to get their education and get back out into the workforce," he said.
The economy also seems to have more traditional students thinking with their pocket books and eyeing less-expensive options for their generals.
"I think they're doing the math and figuring out ... the economic value of starting at a community college," Carlson said.
As the schools manage the growth, they hope to see the numbers continue to rise in the future, even when the economy improves.
"We've had to open a lot of sections," Gillin said. "... We found a lot of our classes were filling up"
Minnesota West has a "realistic goal" of 3 percent to 5 percent growth each year, he said.
At Presentation College, Lardy is aiming for a student body of 500 in the next five years. The campus came to Fairmont six years ago and started with only 44 students. This fall, 163 are enrolled.
"It's fun to see just how many students are on campus, walking around, and the growth. I have a feeling it's just going to continue," Lardy said.
Another example she gave of the schools' growth is the increase in course offerings, up from 29 in 2005, to this year's 64 different courses, which includes clinicals.
"We're coming to the point where we have to look for more clinical sites," she said.
