15744 Golden West Street  *  Huntington Beach,  CA  *  92647-2748
714/895-8367   *   714/895-8269 fax   *   http://www.gwc.cccd.edu
_________________________________________________________________
                                           Copy by Marc S. Posner
                                         714/892-7711, ext. 55057
                                                 mposner@cccd.edu
                                               September 30, 1999
                                                   Release: 99-57

ENROLLMENT INCREASES AT GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE
FOLLOWING SWITCH TO SHORTER 16-WEEK SCHEDULE

Initial registration numbers are in at GWC, and they look
impressive.

College officials report that at the end of the first week,
enrollment jumped more than 6% at the Huntington Beach college,
where more than 12,000 students are taking classes.

This fall, Golden West College switched to a shorter 16-week
semester, making the Huntington Beach campus the only community
college in the county to operate on a California State
University-like calendar.

That change is a large reason why enrollment — and several other
key indicators of success — is up, according to college
president, Dr. Kenneth Yglesias. Targeted recruiting and
marketing campaigns also have played a part, he said.

The number of first-time students enrolling at GWC is up 15%,
full-time students have increased by 6% and the number of Latinos
has jumped 17.5%. Those younger than age 21 have grown by 16.2%.

Students seeking associate in arts degrees and those planning to
transfer to a university or other four-year institution are each
up 7%.

“We have taken some bold and innovative steps to increase the
number of students we serve,” Dr. Yglesias said. “We are now
seeing the results of those efforts. Our shorter semester
provides convenience to our students. I believe this is the
beginning of a trend here in Southern California.”

Classes for most Golden West College students began on August 30.
Registration continues for Weekend Express sessions beginning on
September 24 and November 5, and for accelerated 8-week courses
starting the week of October 25.

For registration and application information, please call (714)
895-8306. Additional information about Golden West College is
available by calling (714) 892-7711, visiting
http://www.gwc.cccd.edu, or sending e-mail to info@gwc.cccd.edu.

California residents now pay just $11 per unit, the lowest
enrollment fee of any college system in California.

The “Oceans of Opportunity” at Golden West College include
approximately 60 career programs and 50 university-transfer
options for students starting work on their bachelor’s degrees.
The college boasts an impressive transfer rate, and studies show
that GWC students who transfer to a university out perform
students who began at the same university.

Golden West College is located at 15744 Golden West Street in
Huntington Beach, nestled between Edinger and McFadden avenues
and Golden West and Gothard streets — just off the San Diego
(405) Freeway and minutes from Huntington Beach’s picturesque
shoreline.

All GWC news releases are available on the Web site. Releases are
also available via an e-mail subscription list. For more
information, please contact Marc Posner at (714) 892-7711, ext.
55057 or by e-mail at mposner@cccd.edu.

Overall enrollment...........+6%
First-time students.........+15%
Full-time students...........+6%
Latinos...................+17.5%
Under 21..................+16.2%
Seeking A.A. degree..........+7%
Plans university transfer....+7%

                             —GWC—

_________________________________________________________________
 One of the Coast Community Colleges serving Costa Mesa, Fountain
   Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Midway City, Newport
                Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster
Kenneth D. Yglesias, Ed.D, President * Board of Trustees: Paul G.
   Berger; George E. Brown; Walter G. Howald; Jerry Patterson;
Armando Ruiz; Student Trustee * William M. Vega, Ed.D, Chancellor
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