Why Community College

The acceptance rate at community college has existed at the opposite end of the spectrum from the nation's elite private universities. At community colleges, any student who had a desire to pursue an educational goal and the money to pay the course fees was welcome.

However, as community colleges nationwide face historical surges in enrollment, some are being forced to take the unprecedented move of rejecting students. For example, CUNY community colleges in New York are contemplating stricter admission policies, as reported by the Columbia Spectator. At the Borough of Manhattan Community College, transfer students with a 2.0 GPA or lower will be automatically placed on a waiting list starting in Spring 2010. Other students who applied for classes for the fall semester received admissions for the spring.

The Causes of Rejection from Community Colleges

There are many guilty parties that have contributed to community colleges that no longer uphold "all welcome" admission policies. While the troubled economy plays a role, systematic shifts in employment have also contributed to students being turned away from community colleges.

This video examines the reasons why community colleges reject admissions applications.

The Recession

During economic downturns such as the current recession, community college enrollment tends to swell for a number of reasons. Older workers who have been laid off or who are having trouble finding work may decide to return to the

With the weak economy, nationwide job cuts, and a more competitive workforce, community colleges have experienced a tremendous enrollment boom. As Inside Higher Ed reveals, community college enrollment rates have been increasing at a steady pace for the past two school years. In fact, experts predict that the 2009 fall semester will result in record breaking enrollment counts.

To accommodate the enrollment boom, community colleges have been forced to balance their available resources with the immense demands of new students. In fact, due to the rising student enrollment rates, “Some community colleges are exploring innovative ways to serve their growing student bodies, make better use of facilities and attract new professors.”

The Community College Boom: The Impact on Campus

Campuses in nearly all states are experiencing various degrees of enrollment hikes. Some theorize that the growth in enrollment is due to the recession’s effect on job cuts and lay-offs; many unemployed workers are finding themselves unskilled to compete in today’s aggressive job market.

Adding to this, many schools have noticed a “Marked increase in the number of students looking to transfer to a four-year institution.” As community colleges allow students to earn college credit much more affordably, many financially savvy students are attending a local community college prior to a more expensive four-year university or private institution. For example, one New York school located in Syracuse, Onondaga Community College (OCC), has experienced a tremendous surge in the enrollment

Community colleges were originally intended to help all students access higher education, regardless of socioeconomic or geographical constraints. Subsequently, some community colleges adjusted their admission policies to allow undocumented immigrants to enroll on campus.

However, these changes have long been met with controversy, especially during periods of rising enrollment and financial pressure on public colleges. Today, debates surrounding undocumented student enrollment continue nationwide as states reevaluate tuition policies, financial aid eligibility, and workforce development priorities.

As the debate continues on both sides, some experts predict that community colleges across the country will continue facing pressure to clarify and expand policies affecting undocumented students.

Undocumented Students: The Heated Debate

Examining these controversial changes to community college policies in North Carolina, WRAL News previously reported that community colleges in the state were required to accept qualified undocumented immigrants if applicants met admission guidelines. Before policy changes in the late 2000s, some college officials rejected undocumented students entirely, even when applicants had graduated from United States high schools.

The policy debate evolved significantly over the following decades. In 1997, former North Carolina Attorney General and Governor Mike Easley expressed support for allowing undocumented immigrants to enroll in community colleges. Eventually, legal guidance from the North Carolina Community College System led campuses across the state to adopt more standardized admissions practices.

As many North Carolina residents discovered, some campuses had already quietly allowed certain undocumented students to enroll without proof of citizenship status. Other colleges, however, were forced to

Historically, when the economy sputters, community college enrollment rates rise. In facing today’s growing student population, some campuses are struggling under the increased demand. As a result, some community college students have been forced to halt their academic pursuits, finding themselves placed on waiting lists.

While the United States has more than six million students enrolled at 1,000 community college campuses nationwide, only half a million students graduate from these institutions each year. According to President Obama, this low graduation rate must change in order for our country to prepare for a stronger and more fertile economy.

In specifically examining the troubling economic setbacks experienced by residents of Michigan, Obama asserts that many unemployed auto workers must actively pursue community college programs to gain new education and training for the future job openings that will arise. In light of PresidentObama's direct visit with Michigan's current and former auto workers, many residents are wondering if the failure of their auto industry will ultimately help drive up their community college enrollment rates.

The impact of Michigan's auto industry on community colleges.

As Yahoo News reports, President Obama's mid-July visit to Detroit was intended to help the city and surrounding areas face their current economic challenges with new vigor. Considering that Ford, GM, and Chrysler are all based out of Michigan, their recent financial struggles have contributed to a waterfall of job losses and salary cuts statewide.

During his visit, President Obama sympathized with residents while simultaneously attempted to boost morale with his $12 billion dollar proposal. With this proposal, President Obama hopes to increase the enrollment rates at community colleges, both in Michigan and across the country, to eventually create a more qualified workforce.

In looking forward to the economic perks