Double-Digit Enrollment Growth at Ivy Tech Bloomington

January 18 , 2006      

Bloomington, Indiana —The number of students attending Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington continues to increase at a rapid pace, with both headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment (FTE) growing at double-digit rates for the spring 2006 semester. While official “paid” numbers, i.e. students with tuition paid in full as of the 10th day of classes, will be released by the College next week as part of its statewide enrollment figures, Ivy Tech - Bloomington has 3,948 students enrolled for the spring 2006 semester, representing an 11.7% increase over last spring. In addition, FTE climbed 13.5% signifying that Ivy Tech students are taking more courses per semester than in the past.

This is the second consecutive year that Ivy Tech – Bloomington’s spring enrollment has exceeded its fall enrollment - fall 2005 enrollment for the campus was 3,885. Traditionally, spring enrollment decreases as compared to fall due to graduation, students deciding to discontinue their education, and the lack of new students enrolling at the mid-point of the academic year. John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington Chancellor, says the pace of enrollment growth reflects a convergence of positive measures the campus has taken in recent years. “Ivy Tech’s recognition as Indiana’s community college solidified changes that were already occurring at the Bloomington campus. For several years we have diligently worked to create new programs that meet the needs of our regional workforce, while simultaneously building relationships with four-year institutions, particularly Indiana University Bloomington, that allow students the opportunity to continue their education. The results of our efforts can be seen in the substantial enrollment increases we continue to experience.”

Ivy Tech-Bloomington expects enrollments to continue to swell due to the addition of new programs, recent structural changes to its enrollment and student success departments, and the continued increase in transfer and articulation agreements with four-year institutions throughout the state.