The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

May 17, 2007

Most ECC students in college-transfer program

JAMICA C. ASHLEY

The role of the community college continues to change.

A recent study shows that more and more traditional college students are opting to attends a two-year college before transferring to a four-year college to finish their higher studies.

"We have a very solid program here," said Monika Fleming, college transfer coordinator at Edgecombe Community College. "We offer all of the core courses, then they have elective courses they can take. Most of our students are working towards a liberal arts degree."

For the Spring 2007 semester there are an estimated 227 students enrolled in the transfer program at ECC, a slight decline from the 230 in the Fall 2006 semester.

There are 58 community colleges in North Carolina, accounting for an enrollment of about 800,00 students.

Fleming said that ECC participates in the 44 Core program. Participants in the 44 Core program obtain credits in the five core areas, six in English, six in math, 12 in the humanities, 12 in the social sciences and eight in the sciences.

This program allows students to get 44 credit hours that transfer them to a four-year institution as a second semester sophomore or a junior.

Fleming believes that there are three main reasons students are choosing to transfer to a four-year school than begin in one.

"The cost. It's a lot cheaper. Tuition is about one-third of what it is at a four-year school," she said. "It's convenient. Most of our students work and have families and the community college works better for them.

"And lastly, the classroom. Our classes are a lot smaller than those at larger schools," continued Fleming. "Our average class size is about 20 students. These things make the big difference and people are finally realizing its a bargain.

"We provide a quality education and our students are succeeding," she said.

Comprised of 16 institutions, the University of North Carolina system in-state tuition costs range from $2,765 to $5,033 with out-of-state tuition beginning at $11,104 and climbing to $19,681.

Tuition at ECC is about $632 per semester in-state and $3,512 out-of-state.

ECC saw a leveling off of enrollment during 2005, the beginning of a stabilization following Hurricane Floyd recovery efforts.

Enrollment at the fall of 2005 was estimated at 2,408 students, a 157-student decrease from the previous fall's 2,565.

Manufacturing plant closings and retraining programs have forced many non-traditional students back in the classroom in attempts to remain competitive in the workforce and provide the opportunity for advancement.

ECC President Dr. Deborah Lamm said then that the enrollment numbers simply reflect the community's economic situation.

"We have seen that a bad economy is good for community college enrollment," she said. "Those undergoing retraining have finished their programs and have gone back to work so we're seeing a leveling off."

ECC had 2,332 students enrolled in the Spring 2006 semester and 2,439 in the fall. Of these students, the average age was 30 with 49 percent working while enrolled.

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