The following press release has been received from McHenry County College (emphasis has been added):
MCC PREPARES FOR RECORD ENROLLMENT IN FALL 2009
[Aug. 21, 2009.Crystal Lake, IL] As McHenry County College (MCC) prepares to welcome a record number of new students this fall, faculty, staff and administrators have been busy working on a variety of efforts to start the semester off smoothly, including digital signage, planning for increased demand for parking, and expanding the credit schedule to include additional sections of popular classes.
“With the current economic state, community college enrollment is on the rise nationwide,” stated Christina Haggerty, MCC spokeswoman. “Between this economic impact on our community and the inaugural semester of MCC Promise, we must be prepared for the opportunity to welcome more and more students through our doors–whether they are planning for a baccalaureate degree or in need of additional career skills.”
The total of new and returning students for fall 2009 is 6,480 (not including Adult Education), a 20.6 percent increase from the 5,374 total students enrolled last fall. Of that total, 1,890 are new, first-year students, which is a 26 percent increase over the 1,500 new students from fall 2008.
To accommodate more student commuters and enhance parking lot safety, MCC is partnering with the Crystal Lake Police Department to assist the College with directing traffic at the start of fall semester, which begins Aug. 24. An officer will be at each College entrance, and security officers will be stationed in each parking lot to monitor and help direct traffic to available spaces.
In addition, College employees will be participating in an optional shuttle service from Lippold Park to help accommodate more student parking options on campus.
MCC also installed indoor digital signage throughout campus to reduce paper flyers and to notify students, faculty and staff in an emergency and/or student activity announcements. Digital monitors are located throughout campus and include 11 flat-panel LCD screens and 24 LED screens with scrolling information. Both sets of screens are integrated with the College’s Emergency Response Plan.
To welcome new and returning students to campus, MCC’s Student Life and Campus Activities Office is hosting activities and giveaways all week, including a welcome picnic on the cafeteria patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26, featuring free food, beverage and live music for the campus community. Other highlights for students on separate days include an ice cream sundae bar, arcade games and airbrush tattoos.
“Over the past months, significant planning has taken place to ensure that MCC is equipped to handle additional enrollment,” said Haggerty. “Now, we’re just excited to start the semester and once again support our mission of helping students meet their educational, career and personal goals.”