ENROLLMENT DIPS AT 3 COLLEGES.

Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer

Spring enrollment at the three San Fernando Valley community colleges dropped as much as 13 percent over last year despite extra funds pitched in by the district to spur growth, campus data revealed Tuesday.

Budget cutbacks, reduced classes, lack of publicity and a tardy course schedule were cited by administrators as possible causes for the early slump. Spring classes began Monday.

Most administrators said they're weathering the dips, even though state funds are at risk if enrollment drops over the school year. Many are still waiting for the final numbers.

``Two days ago we were at 103 percent,'' said Carlos Martinez, Pierce's dean of academic affairs. ``We all looked at each other and said `Great, looks like we're heading in the right direction.' But then yesterday we were down.''

By Monday's end, Pierce College in Woodland Hills was down 8 percent compared with the same time last year, with 12,070 students. Mission College in Sylmar was down 13 percent with 4,765 students and Valley College in Van Nuys was down 1 percent with 13,269 students.

Enrollment for classes will end Jan. 30. Final numbers will be counted Feb. 2.

This past summer, the Los Angeles Community College District called for eight of its nine campuses to stop overspending, cut their budgets and repay their deficits.

But after much grumbling, the nine colleges got a break with an extra $6.7 million advance from district reserves, with officials assuming they would increase enrollment and receive growth money from the state. The state funds are based on overall enrollment increases during the fiscal year that began in July.

However, ``if a campus doesn't grow under the current allocation model, they'll have to return the money,'' said LACCD assistant controller Vinh Nguyen.

Last fall, despite cuts, campuses grew. The district enrollment rose overall by 3.2 percent.

But so far this semester, fewer classes have meant fewer students.

Due to cutbacks, Pierce cut 12 percent of its spring offerings from last year's. Valley cut about 20 percent and Mission cut about a quarter.

This year's holiday break may also be partly to blame, officials said. For the first time, all three campuses chose to shut down for two weeks to save money. Admissions offices stayed open but students, perhaps unaware of the fact, stayed away.

Mission College officials also pointed to its schedule being held up for about a month as administrators waited to hear about extra funds.

Valley College officials said it was harder to attract students this semester with less money for advertising and schedule mailings.

``We did not do the kind of positive publicity we usually do,'' Valley spokeswoman Shannon Stack said.

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Photo, chart

PHOTO Melissa Miller of Encino checks out spring classes at Pierce College, which has seen enrollment decline 8 percent from spring '97.

Evan Yee/Daily News

Chart: Enrollment drop