Enrollment Boom at Sussex County Community College

For SCCC students who dread the experience of trying to park on campus, hope is not in sight-at least not yet. With a shortage of parking lots and an influx of students each semester, Sussex County Community College is currently in a state of expansion.

"We've gone over 2000 full-time students for the first time ever," said Jim Donohue, the college's Director of Admissions and Registrar.

With the addition of the Health Sciences & Performing Arts building, which is nearing completion, Donohue and SCCC expect even more enrollment come fall 2008.

Since 2005 there has been a 271 student increase, which breaks down to around 54 students per semester. The addition of 100+ students a year is staggering when the size of the campus is taken into consideration. According to the college's website there are: 12 buildings that hold, "39 Classrooms; 10 Computer Labs; 5 Science Labs; 4 Art Studios; Dark Room; an Interactive Television Classroom; Library Instructional Room; Nursing Lab; Theater/Lecture Hall; and a Broadcasting Studio."

The enrollment boom that has caused parking lots to overflow and new buildings to be built could be attributed to a variety of things. The recent success of SCCC's sports teams certainly helps. "Look at Rutgers," said Donohue, referring to the explosion of applicants and admitted students, partly due to the success of Rutgers' football team. However, Donohue contends that athletic success is only a small part of the increased enrollment.

Quality courses for an affordable price in addition to, 8 Professional Certificates, 7 Allied Health Training Certificates, 18 Corporate and Community Education Training Certificates and Career Programs, are the main draw, Donohue said. SCCC appears to be the better county college option for many Sussex county residents, who used to make the lengthy commute down to the County College of Morris. With 167 acres of real estate only partially used, there is plenty of room for SCCC to grow as its student body continues to.

Sources: http://sussex.edu/generalinformation/2007profile.pdf