Colleges concerned about marginalized enrollment decrease

Colleges concerned about marginalized enrollment decrease By MEERAH POWELL December 12, 2020 GMT PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Both Oregon community colleges and public universities have seen a decrease in enrollment amid the coronavirus pandemic. Community colleges especially have seen major declines, and higher education officials are especially concerned to see that decrease reflected in students from marginalized communities. Since fall 2019, Oregon community colleges have seen a 23% decrease in enrollment, while public universities have seen an average decrease of 3.8%, according to data from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Much of that decrease has come from career and technical education programs and adult basic education – like GED preparation or English as a second language, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.