FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 16, 2002
CONTACT: Kay Hendricks
Coordiantor of Communication
(210) 208-8006

ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT COLLEGES’ FALL ENROLLMENT SETS A NEW RECORD

The Alamo Community College District recorded its highest enrollment ever for the fall 2002 semester. A total of 44,425 students enrolled at the ACCD colleges for fall 2002, compared to 42,500 students who were enrolled in fall 2001. This represents an increase of 1,925 students, or 4.5%.

"This is the fifth straight year our fall enrollment has increased substantially," said ACCD Chancellor Robert W. Ramsay. "Our enrollment growth is a direct result of our innovative efforts to make quality, affordable higher education accessible to everyone in our community," he added.

Enrollment in the district’s Internet classes rose as well for fall 2002. Internet class enrollment increased 82.7%, or 3,371 students, from fall 2001.A total of 7,445 students are enrolled in ACCD Internet classes this fall, compared to 4,074 in fall 2001.

The district’s enrollment growth is well ahead of projected enrollment increases for Texas colleges and universities. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board projects that enrollment at colleges and universities in Texas will increase about 1% annually through 2005.

Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College and San Antonio College, the colleges of the ACCD, enroll more than half of the college population in San Antonio. The ACCD colleges offer day, evening and weekend classes, plus Internet courses and telecourses. Several of the colleges also offer weekend degree options that allow students to earn a two-year associate’s degree on weekends.

The four ACCD colleges are conveniently located on the southside, northwest, north central and eastside of San Antonio. Classes are also offered at St. Philip’s College’s Southwest Campus, located at East Kelly AFB, at the Northeast Campus at 7990 Pat Booker Road and at off-campus locations, including local businesses and military bases. Tuition at the ACCD colleges is the lowest in Bexar County and a wealth of financial aid, including scholarships, loans and grants, is available for qualified students.