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Growing to meet demand Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming From right, Laurie King of Medford studies algebra with Lahna Easter of Medford at Rogue Community College. King is interested in elementary education and Easter is pursuing a degree in criminology. RCC projects its enrollment will grow 50 percent by 2010 and will need far more space than it currently has. RCC prepares to expand for new students By DAMIAN MANN Rogue Community College officials project enrollment will grow by 50 percent to more than 30,000 students by 2010, requiring at least 450,000 square feet of expansion in both Jackson and Josephine counties. Most of the facility and enrollment growth will take place in Jackson County, based on current population projections, according to reports from three RCC committees. Students are also taking more units this year, averaging more than nine per term compared to about eight last year. The two counties now have 350,000 square feet of combined space for the 19,479 individual students who took classes last year. For Jackson County, enrollment stood at 2,190 full-time equivalent students compared to 2,012 last year, and for Josephine County it was 2,193 compared to 1,876 in 2000. The already crowded Jackson County facilities supports 11,168 students, but that could almost double to 19,180 by 2010, if projections hold. Even if the square footage of the Medford facilities were to double, the committees believe that would not be enough to support the anticipated student load. RCC's facilities are already averaging 74 square feet per full-time equivalent student, less than the state community college average of 84 square feet and far less than the nationwide average of 153 square feet. RCC spokesperson Margaret Bradford said there is less space per student at Medford facilities. "We want to give the students in Jackson County as much space as in Josephine County," she said. Also, some of the training - particularly for diesel mechanics and truck driver training - require more space than an average facility. One suggested solution is the creation of a 213,000-square-foot training facility, possibly in White City. Students could use this center for training in construction, diesel mechanics, truck driving and other courses. But paying for all this construction will be a daunting task for RCC officials. RCC President Rick Levine has proposed that the White City facility and an expansion of the Medford campus could be accomplished with a bond measure of at least $30 million. But, RCC board members haven't yet made a decision to seek voter approval for the bonds. Another big problem for the downtown Medford campus is the lack of parking as RCC converts auto dealerships and retail space into classrooms. The city of Medford just completed renovations to a parking lot across from the main school building in downtown Medford in time for the opening day of school. Levine said that during the next 10 years RCC must also balance enrollment growth and facility expansion with increases in operating revenue. The school was recently forced to cut $3 million from its budget through reductions in class offerings and staff. Most of the revenues for RCC come from tuition and revenues from the state based on the number of students enrolled. Tuition will increase 18 percent in the next four years to help generate additional funds. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.