Ivy Tech Marion sees record numbers

By AJ Colley, Chronicle-Tribune
ajcolley@chronicle-tribune.com

Ivy Tech Community College's Marion campus continued to show record growth this fall as students arrived on campus, but officials said the new campus is coping with the extra students.

Marion's campus had 1,819 students enrolled the first week, compared to 1,320 a year ago, representing a 37.8 percent increase. Ivy Tech's East Central Region, which also includes Anderson and Muncie, grew 29.4 percent, while the state grew 28.6 percent.

In order to cope with the growth in Marion, the campus has opened additional sections of classes and increased the number of students allowed in certain classes, said John Lightle, Marion's vice chancellor/dean.

Lightle said the campus added a full-time faculty member and would have two work-study openings for students. The campus also hired former Marion Community Schools and charter school administrator Jean Taylor to serve as a night manager. She will help students and teachers and act as an intermediary for day staff who aren't there during night classes.