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

enchmark.) Annual course enrollments in contract training followed a similar pattern, reaching
a four-year low, which was also well below the FY2010 benchmark. (Course enrollments in
contract training exceeded the FY2010 benchmark in FY2007 and FY2006.) This decline in
enrollment in contract training courses may be due in part to the downturn in the economy which
has caused some employers to cut back on training in order to reduce costs. The data support
this theory: in FY2008, 23.5% fewer businesses were provided with contract training than in
FY2007. The relocation of a local mining company for whom the College provided a significant
amount of contract training to a neighboring state may also explain some of this enrollment
decline.
The FY2008 Employer Survey indicated that 94% of employers were satisfied with contract
training conducted by Garrett College, which exceeds the benchmark of 90% (Indicator 28).
Given the small number of businesses/organizations involved, dissatisfaction with contract
training offered to any one employer could cause significant fluctuation in the rate of
satisfaction.
The College opened the Garrett Information Enterprise Center (a business incubator) in June
2002 to encourage new information-based businesses to locate to Garrett County. After seven
years of operation, the Center currently houses nine tenants and was 100% occupied as of
September 1, 2008. Garrett’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division is
currently partnering with the Garrett County Economic Development Department to set up and
operate the Career Technology and Training Center (CTTC), a facility primarily designed to
offer noncredit training to adults wishing to enter the workforce or upgrade skills, especially for
employment in emerging industries such as green technology. This facility, which will be
located in a renovated industrial building, is slated to open in January, 2010.
Community Outreach and Impact
Unduplicated annual headcount in noncredit community service and lifelong learning courses
declined significantly in FY2008, falling by 27.3% from FY 2007. Annual course enrollments
declined in similar fashion, falling by 28% from FY2007. These declines are most likely the
result of the overall decline in the economy. Enrollment in noncredit basic skills and literacy
courses has remained fairly consistent since FY2006, meeting or exceeding the FY2010
benchmarks for unduplicated annual headcount and annual course enrollments. Garrett had an
unduplicated enrollment of 140 students in noncredit basic skills and literacy courses in FY2008.
Effective Use of Public Funding
The College’s percentage of expenditures on instruction and on instruction and selected
academic support for FY2008 were 35.2% and 40.1% respectively. While these percentages
represent the lowest rate over the four-year window, there has been very little variation in the
proportion of expenditures since FY2006. (The percentages shown for FY2005 are higher
because Academic Administration was not subtracted previously in the computation as per the
instructions from MHEC.) Given the present trend, the College does not appear to be on track
for achieving either of the FY2010 benchmarks (40% and 50%, respectively). However, a more
comprehensive strategic plan, newly instituted fiscal allocation and budgeting processes and
tighter financial controls, coupled with recent reorganizations may help the College move closer
to its benchmark goals.
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