A slight decline in student growth at the campuses of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is likely attributable to the higher price of education, officials indicated Tuesday, April 1. College president Dr. Bradley Gottfried delivered CSM’s annual “State of the College” report to the Calvert County Commissioners. While Gottfried stated “enrollment continues to be relatively high” and presented statistics showing enrollment rises during fiscal year (FY) 2013 as compared with FY 2012, in the last months of FY 2014 “the numbers are going down,” said Gottfried. “Every time we raise tuition we lose students.”
Gottfried said part of the problem is the state is only providing 19 percent of per student funding for community college students, instead of the previously promised 33 percent.
According to the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, 61 percent of Maryland’s high school graduates attend community college during the ensuing fall. Tuition and fees increase an average of four percent a year, and student funding per student funding remains below an inflation-adjusted basis.
The Prince Frederick campus continues to expand, especially with the addition of a second building. Vice President and Dean of CSM’s Prince Frederick Campus Dr. Richard Fleming reported the new building has been used for several community events since the construction project was completed last summer.
Gottfried reported the college’s “math lab” is the latest remedial technique being used by CSM. “Lots of instructors and tutors, they [students] work at their own pace,” said Gottfried, who predicted, “we are going to see fewer students leaving college because they are frustrated. We have to set a high bar but we have to help students get over that bar.”
Other campus improvements include installation of security cameras and increased bandwidth.
Gottfried told the commissioners the programs related to fields of study where there are jobs are growing. The mechanical engineering program CSM has at Patuxent Naval Air Station is growing significantly.
The board also received a report on CSM’s plan to build a campus in Hughesville. Gottfried reported CSM officials have purchased a 75-acre tract off Route 5 across the road from a large motorcycle dealership. The Hughesville campus would be located in the heart of the Tri-County region and would allow CSM officials to “centralize” several programs.
In response to a question from Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R] regarding whether the Hughesville location is being eyed as a potential four-year college, Gottfried indicated the acreage could certainly accommodate the needed growth for that to happen. However, Gottfried was quick to state an expansion to a four-year institution is not in CSM&rs
