By Scott Harvey
Paris – Paris Junior College experienced another record-breaking semester this spring, but officials feel the figures could have been higher if not for a stretch of bad weather.
Official enrollment was 5,787, up 5.26 percent from this time last year and 24.83 percent from two years ago. PJC, like many other area colleges, universities and/or school districts, were forced to cancel classes multiple days due to an unusual amount of snow and ice accumulation. PJC canceled three instructional days.
"The snow and ice didn't help us," said PJC President, Dr. Pam Anglin. "We couldn't collect money by the deadline and had to drop more than we would have normally. Despite that, with all the numbers in, PJC still had the sixth highest rate of growth out of fifty Texas community colleges over the biennium."
In her President's Report issued Monday, Dr. Anglin distributed a revised constitution for the Student Government Association and gave an update on an Appropriation Hearing she testified at recently.
"We were told by Senator Whitworth and Representative Hochberg that in regards to community college budget cuts the silence is deafening; we don't hear from anyone supporting community colleges - no chambers of commerce, no business leaders are contacting us'. We need to let them know of PJC's successes and our ability to build a better and stronger economy for the future."