More Than a Week Before Classes Begin, Albany Tech Enrollment Already Exceeding All-time Record
September 17, 2009 – For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, the administration at Albany Technical College has capped enrollment on four programs and has expectations to cap as many as three more before fall classes begin next week. Currently, there are more than 3,300 enrolled for fall quarter – the largest group of students to enroll in classes at any one time since the College was founded in 1961.
“It’s not too unusual for programs that have extremely limited lab space, like cosmetology or culinary arts, to fill up early,” said Dr. Anthony Parker, president of the College. “We’ve also capped enrollment in programs that have limitations assigned to them by our accrediting body. But, this is the first time Albany Tech has ever seen enrollment in any traditional trade programs get so high that we’ve been forced to cap them. “
The four trade programs that are currently capped are Air Conditioning Technology, Welding Technology, Automotive Technologyand Business Administrative Technology. The College expects to cap other programs before the quarter begins including some of its healthcare technology programs.
Some of the College’s growth is due to the current economic conditions. Many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to gain new skills due to businesses closing or restructuring. Individuals who have been recently laid off, such as Cooper Tire employees, are eligible for additional financial help from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. The College’s Financial Aid Office has been inundated with a high volume of potential students applying for these and other types of aid.
Because of the volume of phone calls the College is currently fielding, students who have not yet enrolled for fall are encouraged to visit the Albany Tech campus as soon as possible to secure their space for the upcoming quarter. Classes begin September 24.
“It’s not too unusual for programs that have extremely limited lab space, like cosmetology or culinary arts, to fill up early,” said Dr. Anthony Parker, president of the College. “We’ve also capped enrollment in programs that have limitations assigned to them by our accrediting body. But, this is the first time Albany Tech has ever seen enrollment in any traditional trade programs get so high that we’ve been forced to cap them. “
The four trade programs that are currently capped are Air Conditioning Technology, Welding Technology, Automotive Technologyand Business Administrative Technology. The College expects to cap other programs before the quarter begins including some of its healthcare technology programs.
Some of the College’s growth is due to the current economic conditions. Many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to gain new skills due to businesses closing or restructuring. Individuals who have been recently laid off, such as Cooper Tire employees, are eligible for additional financial help from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. The College’s Financial Aid Office has been inundated with a high volume of potential students applying for these and other types of aid.
Because of the volume of phone calls the College is currently fielding, students who have not yet enrolled for fall are encouraged to visit the Albany Tech campus as soon as possible to secure their space for the upcoming quarter. Classes begin September 24.
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