Published: August 21, 2008 11:00 am      

Higher education: Gas prices fuel local enrollment

BLUEFIELD — High gas prices are helping to fuel an increase in local college enrollment.

Enrollment at Bluefield State College is up 6 percent over this time last year, and Concord University is reporting an unanticipated demand for space in the university’s residence halls. The university has even increased the number of dorm rooms that will house three students.

Students who may have attended colleges or universities outside the region are now taking a second look at their local colleges due to high gas prices, Bluefield State College spokesman Jim Nelson said.

“I know preliminary figures show our enrollment is up,” Nelson said. “The head count compared from this day a year ago was plus 107 over last year, which represents about a 6 percent increase. We are hearing many colleges and universities in the state are noticing their enrollment is up. I think one fact that probably lends itself to that is increasing cost in gasoline. Where many students may have took a look at some institutions that are some distance away — all of a sudden with the spike in gas prices — many students are now taking a second look at institutions closer to home.”

Nelson said distance learning courses, and online courses, provide other options to students hoping to save money on gas.

“I think distance learning is huge no matter where you are now,” Nelson said.

Recruitment and retention efforts at Concord University have resulted in an unanticipated demand for space at the university’s residence halls, according to a press release issued by CU spokeswoman Anita Moody.

“We are making a good faith effort to accommodate students who want to attend Concord University,” CU President Dr. Gregory F. Aloia said in the news release. “Staff in our Office of Residence Life began crafting plans to accommodate an increase in students once we realized that our numbers were up. The plans were put into place this summer, and I have been impressed by the way the staff in residence life has worked with our business office and admissions office to ensure that those who want to attend Concord have that opportunity. This demand is unprecedented.”

Rick Dillon, director for housing and residence life, said college officials have increased the number of rooms that will house three students as opposed to the traditional dorm setting of two students. Dillon said having to increase rooms size was a “good problem” for CU to have because it means more students will now have an opportunity to attend CU.”

Bluefield College, which began registration on Tuesday, isn’t expected to see an increase or decrease in enrollment, BC spokesman Chris Shoemaker.

While high gas prices may help to increase enrollment of local students, other potential students from areas further away such as Roanoke may opt to stay closer to home due to high gas prices, Shoemaker said.

“We just finished up registration today,” Shoemaker said. “But we are really not anticipating being up or down, but about the same we were last fall.”

Classes won’t begin until Monday at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com