Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - BSC, U-Mary enrollments increase

BSC, U-Mary enrollments increase

Oct 07, 2008 - 04:05:25 CDT

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

Enrollment has increased for most of the colleges in the Bismarck area.

Bismarck State College showed an increase of 197 students compared to a year ago, and the University of Mary showed an increase of 79 students compared to the same time last year.

"I believe our growth reflects BSC's dedication to quality and innovation. Students are getting what they need from us and are telling their friends and family members to come to BSC," Drake Carter, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said in a release.

The two-year college has 2,492 full-time students and 1,296 part-time students, for a total of 3,788 students. The growth in students could be attributed to new programs, he said. Those programs are mechanical maintenance technology and instrumentation and control technology, as well as the four-year degree program in energy management.

The University of Mary enrolled 2,873 students this fall.

"The University of Mary's continued growth in enrollment is particularly significant in light of the current economy and the decreased number of college-age students" in the state, said Diane Fladeland, vice president of academic affairs, in a release.

The North Dakota University System, of which BSC is a part, reported 43,442 students this fall, an increase of 1,615 students, according to a report by the Associated Press.

United Tribes Technical College saw a dip in enrollment of 159 students compared to the same time last year. The tribal college's enrollment is a combination of summer and fall enrollment.

"I believe our enrollment growth trend will resume during the spring 2009 term," said President David Gipp in a release. "We know that there continues to be a strong demand for higher education among the population of young people in Indian Country. The current dip in enrollment is due to a number of factors related to our strategic plans for expanding the campus and serving more students in the years ahead."

For the 2007-08 school year, the tribal college enrolled a cumulative 1,129 students. Financial aid for students also could have contributed to a drop in enrollment.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

former student wrote on Jan 22, 2009 10:21 AM:

" Point to Ponder- I think you're right. The Bismarck/Mandan area should be able to support a four year public school. "

former student wrote on Jan 22, 2009 10:20 AM:

" Bis Prof- I don't know what you are talking about. As a former student, I can't think of any mediocre teachers I had at BSC. There are many reasons I chose BSC. Here are a couple: the quality of education I received for my money was second to none, I played baseball for two years and had a BLAST, I was able to be close to my family, and I enjoyed nearly every one of my professors. Either you are a disgruntled employee or a disgruntled former student. Either way I don't think you have the slightest idea why students choose to attend BSC. "

Bis Prof wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:11 PM:

" This Carter guy has nothing to do with more students coming to BSC. The faculty are the reason. Wait! That's wrong too. The students come because they hear about the faculty, but by the time these students arrive the administration has already fired any faculty of worth and kept the mediocre who have been there forever. And no, dear readers, most of the indentured at BSC do NOT deserve an 8.1% wage increase. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:11 PM:

" Maybe it's time for BSC to move up to a four year school. those enrollment figures do not even count those students enrolled in distance education courses taken at BSC. Those students are counted as being enrolled at Dickinson, UND, Minot, etc even if they are phyically sitting in a classroom at BSC. "

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