In today's paper, the Breeze's Rob Kuznia takes a look at enrollment at local colleges, reporting that many campuses are extremely crowded and are struggling to accommodate students' desire to enroll.
He found that Marymount College, the small Rancho Palos Verdes Catholic campus that's battling to have its expansion plans approved by city voters this fall, has seen its enrollment rise significantly this semester.
Just a few weeks ago, I was told that enrollment this fall was expected to be 650 students. Now a college spokeswoman says a flood of late-summer applications increased that figure to more than 750. Under the college's permit to operate on its Palos Verdes Drive East campus, the school cannot enroll more than 793 students.
Kelly Curtis Intagliata, Marymount's director of communications, told Kuznia the uptick was attributed in part to the college's announcement earlier this year that it would begin offering four-year degrees in several fields.* (See update on this after the jump.)
The increase is significant because every single detail related to Marymount seems to be a new talking point for either the proponents or opponents of Measure P, the college's initiative, which has now led to two lawsuits.
I swear, I get emails and calls almost every day from both sides -- with story suggestions, tips and reporting advice. Good times!
He found that Marymount College, the small Rancho Palos Verdes Catholic campus that's battling to have its expansion plans approved by city voters this fall, has seen its enrollment rise significantly this semester.
Just a few weeks ago, I was told that enrollment this fall was expected to be 650 students. Now a college spokeswoman says a flood of late-summer applications increased that figure to more than 750. Under the college's permit to operate on its Palos Verdes Drive East campus, the school cannot enroll more than 793 students.
Kelly Curtis Intagliata, Marymount's director of communications, told Kuznia the uptick was attributed in part to the college's announcement earlier this year that it would begin offering four-year degrees in several fields.* (See update on this after the jump.)
The increase is significant because every single detail related to Marymount seems to be a new talking point for either the proponents or opponents of Measure P, the college's initiative, which has now led to two lawsuits.
I swear, I get emails and calls almost every day from both sides -- with story suggestions, tips and reporting advice. Good times!
*Kelly just got back to me with details on why the college is seeing more students this year. Here's what she emailed:
We have a freshman class of approximately 300 students. The growth in enrollment is attributed to campus advancements. Outlined here are those factors.
This fall we are welcoming more than 750 new and returning students to Marymount College. Marymount provides an outstanding college experience for its students. Recent campus developments make the college even more appealing for prospective students and their parents.
The addition of bachelor's programs in Business, Liberal Arts and Media Studies has captivated the interest of last year's sophomores who will remain on the campus to complete their degree, along new freshmen seeking a four-year degree from the college. Other advancements at Marymount include study abroad opportunities in The Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand and China, as well as the addition of co-curricular learning opportunities including community service, experiential learning and internships. A new athletic program offering competitive sports, within a character-building program, launches in the fall with the first sport kicking off in late August -- men's and women's soccer.
Marymount College continues to enhance its campus to meet the needs of its students. For fall, new computer labs are opening and, at the residential life properties, significant remodeling projects are improving student life activities and the aesthetics of the residences.
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