Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees reviewed enrollment statistics for the past year, heard a report on student housing registrations for the coming year, opened construction bids for the replacement of the college’s main entryway, and accepted local gifts to the college during its regularly scheduled meeting June 8 on the Dowagiac campus.

Students are currently enrolled for 37 percent more contact hours than last year at this time, according to Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. David Mathews.

The spring/summer semester began May 12 and ends Aug. 5. Mathews said that whereas summer enrollments are usually a small fraction of the academic year enrollments, there are several factors contributing to this increase.

“The availability of summer employment is down and with a sluggish economy this means some students choose to go to school instead of working. The college’s affordable tuition makes it a very attractive option,” said President Mathews. “In addition, the new year-round Pell grant has now meant continuing federal financial aid is now available in the summer for students who in years past would have exhausted their federal funding during the fall and winter semesters.”

Mathews said this summer’s enrollment increase continues the trend seen over the past academic year. Enrollments the past two semesters were up 18 percent for the fall and 27 percent for the winter compared to the previous year.

“Most community colleges saw significant enrollment gains last year due to the poor economy and the great value offered by community colleges,” Mathews said. “But Southwestern Michigan College’s gains were about twice what would be expected from the economy alone.

“We attribute half of the enrollment gains over the past three semesters to SMC’s outstanding student success statistics, and to the college’s on-campus student housing and student life initiatives, including clubs, intramurals, extreme sports and an expanded Student Activity Center (SAC). These tremendous enrollment gains show that the strategy of providing affordable access to a high quality, total college experience, has been highly effective.”

In a related matter, Mathews reported SMC received 215 signed contracts for on-campus housing.

Last fall, Southwestern Michigan College opened its first housing facility – Keith H. McKenzie Hall – to full occupancy at 130 students.

This September, the second housing unit will open, offering a total of 260 beds for on-campus housing.

Mathews strongly encouraged anyone with an interest in the College’s on-campus housing to submit a signed contract as soon as possible to guarantee a room reservation.