More students enrolled as classes begin

Dr. Randy Rhine, CSC vice president for enrollment management and student services, said preliminary data shows the college ahead of last fall. This marks the fifth consecutive fall that the college has started the semester with an enrollment increase. According to Monday's data, the college's headcount is 2,783, up from last years first-day enrollment of 2,775. The full-time equivalency, which is derived from total number of credit hours, was 2,133, up from last years beginning FTE of 2,128. Rhine said the figures will change as students drop and add courses in the coming days, and as students enroll for courses that begin later in the semester. Sherri Simons, CSC director of housing, said the CSC residence halls are near capacity and also have more students.
CSC wrapped up four days of orientation activities for new students Sunday, but many "welcome back" activities are scheduled as the semester begins. One of the events Wednesday is the annual Uptown on Campus, in which area businesses and organizations converge at CSC to show products and services to students. Laure Sinn, coordinator of student activities, said about 50 booths are scheduled to be set up in the Student Center 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, Wednesday night will feature the first "Late Night at the Pit" activities for students. On Thursday at the Student Center will be the Host Parent Dinner, in which student participants will be paired with area residents who have signed up to help the students become acclimated to their new surroundings. That night, hypnotist Valerie Reeves will entertain an audience at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Rounding out the week of activities will be a carnival hosted by the Residence Life Association under the big tent on campus at 7 p.m. Friday.
Other upcoming events include Free Movie Night at the Eagle Theatre, Aug. 29; Coffee and Doughnuts with the Cops, Sept. 1; Club Fair Day, Sept. 2; and Open Mic Night at the Bean Broker, Sept. 3. Sinn said all the activities are open to students free of charge.