A California Community Colleges report released Dec. 15 shows that fee increases triggered the last three years of systemwide enrollment declines among state junior colleges.

“Given the relationship between fees and participation rates, the increases from $11 to 18 . . . to $26 per unit . . . had a dampening effect on students entering our system,” said State Chancellor Mark Drummond.

At Moorpark College, enrollment has fallen from a high of 15,267 in fall 2002 to 14,453 in fall 2004. This trends correlates to the state system decline from a high of 1,748,361 in fall 2002 to 1,605,310 in fall 2004.

In spring 2003, fees were raised from $11 to $18 per unit. At Moorpark College, the drop in enrollment from fall 2002 to fall 2003 was 814 students, or 5 percent. Systemwide, the drop was 3.6 percent.

For fall 2004, fees were at an all-time high of $26 per unit. At Moorpark College, the drop from fall 2003 was 249 students, or an additional 1.7 percent. Systemwide, the drop was 1 percent. In fall 2005, Moorpark College lost another 500 students for a drop of 3.5 percent.   The report lists budget instability and its effect on class availability as another contributing factor to enrollment declines.

“Ultimately, what both the system and its students need is budgetary stability and insulation from rapid fee increases,” said Drummond.   To read the complete report, “Impacts of Student Fee Increases and Budget Changes on Enrollment,” go online to www.cccco.edu.