2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

The State Plan recommends increased use of distance education, especially online learning.
Through FY2007 Garrett’s enrollment in both credit and noncredit online courses experienced
significant increases. Online credit enrollment grew by 163% and noncredit by 214% from
FY04-FY07. However enrollment in both credit and noncredit on-line courses dropped off
significantly in FY2008. During FY2008-2009, the College engaged in a re-evaluation of its
distance learning program amid concerns about cost effectiveness and quality control,
particularly with respect to on-line courses being imported from other institutions. As a result,
fewer on-line courses were offered. Most of those issues have now been resolved and the
FY2010-2013 Strategic Plan reaffirms the College’s commitment to increasing its distance
learning capability and on-line course offerings.
Due to the overall decline in State funding that has become the trend over much of the last
decade, tuition revenue has assumed greater importance. This revenue stream can be increased
either by raising the tuition rate or by increasing enrollment. Garrett has chosen to focus mainly
on increasing enrollment. Garrett College had been slightly above the statewide median for incounty
tuition, although its median household income remains among the lowest in the State.
Consequently, Garrett College has only imposed modest tuition and fee increases to offset
reductions in State funding. This strategy has worked. For FY2008, the community college
systemwide average tuition and fees per credit hour was $107 while Garrett’s tuition and fees per
credit hour was $99, making Garrett’s tuition and fees the sixth lowest in the State.
Furthermore, Garrett’s tuition and fees as a percent of tuition and fees at Maryland public fouryear
institutions has risen only slightly from 42.3% in FY2006 to 44.7% in FY2009, well below
the FY2011 benchmark of 53.1%. Because the rate of tuition rise in the four-year institutions is
outpacing Garrett’s rate of rise, the College is becoming a more affordable alternative for
transfer students. To retain its competitiveness, the College will continue to work toward
keeping tuition and fee increases to a minimum. In so doing, Garrett College is working to
achieve the 2004 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education goal to “achieve a system of
postsecondary education that promotes accessibility and affordability for all Marylanders.”
Quality and Effectiveness: Student Satisfaction, Progress, and Achievement
The seven indicators in this section provide evidence that Garrett is contributing toward “quality
and effectiveness” as described in the 2004 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education.
Garrett’s vision is to be a vibrant learning center of first choice for local residents. The College
believes it can best overcome barriers to obtaining a higher education by respecting and caring
for students as individuals, by identifying their strengths and needs, by starting them at a point
appropriate to their skill level, by providing them with appropriate support services, and by
motivating and encouraging them to achieve standards of personal and academic excellence.
Students give Garrett College very high marks on key factors pertaining to academic
achievement. The survey of 2005 alumni showed that 96% were satisfied with their educational
goal achievement. A survey was conducted of students who previously enrolled in spring 2007
but failed to re-enroll in the following semester (fall 2007). This survey showed that nonreturning
student satisfaction with educational goal achievement was 91.3%, just slightly below
the percentage obtained from the fall 2005 survey (92.6%).
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