Student enrollment dips while applications increase

Hunter Wallace
News Editor

Even with less students in attendance this semester the interest in Hudson Valley is growing.

According to the All College Meeting held last month, enrollment for this semester has decreased by about 375 students since last fall, but is still within Hudson Valley’s projected budget. Meanwhile, applications to the college have grown by about 10 percent this year.

“That expression of interest is encouraging, but, as I’ve said several times before, the decline we’ve seen recently is a clear sign that we’re operating in an incredibly competitive environment,” said Hudson Valley President Drew Matonak. “We know that more students are now entering four-year colleges or gaining employment rather than enrolling here.”

According to Dennis Kennedy, executive director of communications and marketing at Hudson Valley, current enrollment is better than was expected in the college’s budget projections set forth last year. Overall, the college remains either on par or ahead of state and national enrollment trends for community colleges.

“As of census date (close of business on 9/18/17), fall enrollment is negative 3.6 percent behind last year’s census date in headcount in the number of enrolled and paid students (9701; ‐365) and negative 2.8 percent behind last year in full-time equivalent students (FTE) (7212; ‐208),” Kennedy said.

There will be one final enrollment update at the October Board meeting after all the College in the High School and Sprint enrollments are completed.

“In the months ahead, we’ll continue to analyze our fall enrollment data, and trends tied to new, transfer and returning students,” Matonak said, during the most recent All College Meeting. “As we head into the spring semester registration and advisement period, please continue to engage your students as early as possible and remind them of sprint and intersession options where applicable.”

For more information about student enrollment at Hudson Valley, contact the college’s Communications and Marketing department by phone at (518) 629-8071 or in person at Guenther Enrollment Service Center, Room 267.