District headcount exceeds last year’s number

Despite a report by a local TV news crew Wednesday that the Alamo Colleges have registered more than 50,000 students, more than this time last year, the actual figures do not bear this out.

The district's computer system as of noon today showed greater enrollment at this time in 2009 although not as great as it appeared district officials reported.

Enrollment at noon today was 48,444 with 38,176 having paid.

This time last year 45,627 students had enrolled with only 31,404 having paid.

Dr. Tom Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, told The Ranger he told the interviewer that at the end of this week Alamo Colleges will have 50,000 students registered.

His comments came in an interview with KABB, Fox 29 Wednesday about problems students are having registering, accessing financial aid and paying tuition with the district's new student records system.

The Banner system software has already implemented eight modules, which is finance; human resources; payroll; grants; student; continuing education; and accounting.

The modules synchronize with one another so students and faculty can access all eight modules under the same system.

Cleary said academic offerings have increased by 400 percent for students because the have the opportunity to access courses from all of the Alamo Colleges instead of one; and can pay and register for courses 24 hours a day.

"These are benefits students will see throughout the term," he said.

Cleary said this semester is the first registration cycle where student records are being moved to a new software.

Registration for this time last year stood at 45,627.

The individual counts for the colleges as of noon today are:

• 19,210 enrolled with 15,128 paid at San Antonio College.

• 9,317 enrolled with 7,401 paid at St. Philip's College.

• 6,869 enrolled with 5,202 paid at Palo Alto College.

• 11,745 enrolled with 9,4396 paid at Northwest Vista College.

• 1,303 enrolled with 1,006 paid at Northeast Lakeview College.

The payment deadline is Aug. 17. Those who have not paid by that time are removed from the system and must register again to enroll for the fall semester.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, said in a Tuesday interview students who are dropped from classes because of nonpayment also have holds return on their application.

Students who had holds on their application and had them cleared must go through the process again if they are dropped for nonpayment.

To make the process faster for students at this college, Howard has developed a quick reference guide based on problems students reported during registration.

The reference sheet has quick tips for students who have accounts disabled; username/ password not found; multiple IDs; and missing student tabs to either call the help desk at 486-0777 or visit Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center.

To access the reference sheet visit, www.alamo.edu/sac and click on registration problems/holds.

This college's president, Dr. Robert Zeigler, said in a Thursday interview at this time last year the college had around 24,000 students registered.

He said the college will approach that mark when dual credit students are counted.

Students who have registered from Aug.6 -17 must pay by 11 p.m. online or 6:30 p.m. with cash at the bursar's office by Aug. 17.

For information or assistance, call this college's helpdesk at 486-0777 or Alamo Colleges support central at 485-0555.

Information is also available by logging on to www.alamo.edu/sac/