Paris Solimanzadeh
The student population is growing rapidly at Pierce College.
Enrollment rates are rising faster than ever this semester and this may cause overcrowding in classrooms and parking lots at Pierce.
As of Feb. 8, 2007 the enrollment was up to 18,078 students.
The numbers change daily, but appear to be continuing the growth trend begun several semesters ago.
Spring 2007 enrollment has had a 9 percent increase since last year. The number of students as on Feb. 8, 2006 was 16,644.
The question is will this increase of students be beneficial to the school or will it be problematic. Many students are concerned already about getting into classes and finding a place to park.
Shelley Gerstl, Dean of Admissions and Records at Pierce, is optimistic about the increase in students.
Gerstl said that the rise will “provide more opportunities for students because the increase in funding will allow us [faculty and staff] to provide more in the following semesters.”
Gerstl also mentioned that many classrooms have been added and even more are in planning for future semesters.