The City University of New York reported record numbers of student enrollment for the new semester.
Approximately 278,000 students enrolled at CUNY for this the fall semester, a 42 percent increase since the fall of 2000, where 195,403 students registered.
More students from low-income households turn to CUNY because of its low tuition rates. Tuition ranges from nearly $7,000 at senior colleges to $4,000 at community colleges per year. Furthermore, financial aid partially covers costs for students.
At Queens College, enrollment fluctuated over the past 5 years. From 2010 to 2014, enrollment number declined from 20,906 to 19,313, based on data from CUNY Office of Institutional Research.
Briana Ojeda, a sophomore, believed improvements to CUNY colleges may follow from higher enrollment.
“Due to an increase of students attending these schools, more staff will be hired, other academic and student support services will be available for students and the qualities of libraries will be further improved. Jobs will be available for incoming professors and the new staff hired will be beneficial for me and other students. Overall, I believe more students enrolling will make my experience at CUNY much better because of all the improvements in all areas to come,” Ojeda said.
Ojeda highlighted money from tuition would help widen the use of academic resources, making it easier to access utilities on campus; Plus, with the increase of students, more professors would be demanded.
Although, Stefan Hernandez, senior and computer science major, wondered about the effects of more students attaining higher education.
“While I enjoy the fact that the nation is encouraging higher education, it raises an important question. What’s happening to trades in America? Individuals who specialize in certain trades are necessary to society. Does this mean that we’ll be seeing a shortage of tradesman in the future?” Hernandez said.
Hernandez underlined changes in the U.S. because of the role higher education plays for job prospects.
“These days, it seems like higher education is the only way to secure a job,” Hernandez said.
