Citrus College has experienced a 9.3% decrease in enrollment this fall semester compared to last fall. This is not unique to Citrus as many colleges are experiencing low enrollment.
Whether it is COVID-19 related, due to financial reasons, or an unwillingness to go to college, last fall, 8,477 full-time equivalent students enrolled at Citrus. As of the end of July, only 7,685 full-time equivalent students are registered, Dean of Enrollment Services Gerald Sequeira said.
Sequeira said he believes this could be due to the change in enrollment dates because students are still registering for courses and the enrollment numbers aren’t as accurate. Last fall, registration was July 6 and this fall it was in May.
Although the amount of full-time equivalent students has decreased, non-credit students have increased 37%. This year, Citrus has 97 non-credit students in comparison to last year’s 71 non-credit students, Sequeria said in an email.
Citrus also has a 14% decrease in resident students along with a severe decrease in non-resident students, Sequeira said in an email.
“LA County was hard hit and that’s where most of our students come from,” Sequeira said.
He also said many non-resident students were international students who faced travel restrictions due to COVID-19, making their return to school more challenging.
An initiative being taken to encourage students to return to school are the CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grants. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, or CRRSAA, provided Citrus College $14.6 million, of which at least $3.7 million is allocated to assist students eligible to participate in a degree or certificate program under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Institutions that have faced loss of revenue or are in need of reimbursement are allocated $10.9 million as well which Citrus was granted.
Sequeira said smaller steps have been taken to enhance enrollment including free parking on campus this upcoming semester, a significant amount of emergency funds, technology grants and grocery gift cards.
“The biggest initiative that’s easiest to see is that we are returning to campus,” Sequeira said.
A student services committee is working on proposals and activities to get students back on campus. Sequiera said some courses have seen a more significant drop than others due to their inability to be done online as it is a more hands-on class.
Sequeira said other than COVID-19, the decrease in enrollment is also related to the improving economy. He said when the economy tends to do well and businesses thrive, some people choose to work instead of going to school.
Overall, Sequeira said he is “very concerned with enrollment, this is our revenue.” Citrus relies on enrollment as 70% of it is based on enrollment figures. He said low enrollment “is a statewide phenomenon.”
Sequeira said he is also concerned about the new delta variant because cases may continue to rise as the semester begins and some classes are preparing to return to campus. He said he is also worried about students’ mental health with the many pressures and uncertain circumstances pertaining to school, COVID-19 and their future.
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