College told Governing Board in August it had 20 students on a waiting list for fall semester with 11 of them vets; But College is still waiting for VA approval so vets can enroll; only 4 of 9 non-vets enrolled
On August 9 of this year, Yavapai Community College asked the District Governing Board to convene a special session and devote it exclusively to obtaining Board approval for charging fees amounting to $14,388 per student for the newly resurrected private pilot program. The Board complied and held a one-hour special session.
Dean John Morgan gave a presentation during the special session to the Governing Board in which he outlined the fee structure of the new private pilot course. (The College charges $525 per credit hour.) During the presentation, he told the Governing Board that he was in close contact with 20 people who were on the College private pilot training wait list. (See Board minutes directly below to verify.)
“Currently 20 people have indicated that they would like to enroll in the program. 11 of those people are veterans, and 9 are not, so there is more `civilian’ demand for the program.”
It was quite a surprise to some that fall registration for the program fell far short of of the 20 persons on the waiting list in view of Dean Morgan’s enthusiastic presentation about the list to the Board. In fact, only four students enrolled this fall for the program.
When asked for a comment earlier this month about the low enrollment for the private pilot program, the College explained as follows:
“The College is still waiting for the VA approval of the flight course itself, which means our veterans are waiting to get in until then. They are telling us they are behind (the VA). Right now, only civilians can get in until the VA gives the final approval for the course.”
Dean Morgan noted that he anticipated 20 students enrolling each semester with enrollment eventually reaching a total of 60.
The Blog does not recall that Dean Morgan suggested any anticipated issue about VA approval delaying fall enrollment.
You may view clips of Dean Morgan’s comments to the Governing Board regarding the wait list by clicking here. You may view the entire presentation by Dean Morgan to the Governing Board by clicking here.