Norwalk : Cerritos College Enrollment Increases 6.7%

Enrollment jumped 6.7% at Cerritos College, with 19,415 students registering for the fall semester compared to the same period in 1987 when 18,186 students registered, said Mark Wallace, director of public information.

Enrollment was expected to climb even higher because of an additional registration period being offered for the first time by the Norwalk-based college, Wallace said.

The regular fall semester opened Aug. 22. However, under the newly offered registration period, students have until Sept. 16 to register for the fall “shortened semester.”

The shortened semester will last 15 weeks compared to the regular semester, which is 18 weeks. Both end Dec. 16. Similar classes are offered under both programs but students attending the 15-week semester must attend classes for longer periods of time.

The new semester was started to attract high school and four-year college students who may not be able to get the desired courses at four-year institutions, Wallace said.

Enrollment at Cerritos College started to climb after several years of decline. The decline, which was experienced by community colleges statewide, began in the fall of 1982. Enrollment at the college at that time was more than 24,000.