April 2012 • Vol. 17, No. 4


Partners in Marketing Dollars Are Still Available


Over $200,000 is still available to local economic development organiza- tions for primary sector business and workforce recruitment through the Partners in Marketing grant pro- gram. A developer can apply for up to $25,000 in the current biennium which runs through June 30, 2013. New this biennium, economic development organizations may submit applications for up to $5,000 to develop strategic plans or marketing plans that will


drive their business and workforce recruitment eff orts. For more information, visit NDCom-


merce.com and click on Programs and Services. Look to the left-hand menu for Partners in Marketing. You can also ind the 2009-2011 Partners in Marketing report here which includes project summaries for grants awarded last biennium.


13


BSC Reports Spring Enrollment Numbers


Bismarck State College reports spring


enrollment numbers are down 2.4 percent overall for a total of 3,887 students compared to last spring’s record enrollment of 3,985 students. This is the irst time BSC’s enrollment numbers have decreased since 2004. The oficial fourth week enrollment


ANNOUNCING CASINO NIGHT 2012!


Friday, May 18, 2012 Mandan Eagles Club 6:00-7:00 p.m. Social Hour 7:00-10:00 p.m. Black Jack, Poker, Rou- lette and Fun!


10:00-10:30 p.m. Grand Prizes An- nounced


Junior Achievement and the Mandan Ea- gles Club are partnering to bring you the most fun east of the Vegas Strip! General admission is $25, which includes $75,000 in “money” and hors d’oeuvres. If you really want to be a big spender, and you know you do, get the $50 ticket, which in- cludes the aforementioned PLUS a chance to win one of the grand, GRAND prizes!


To reserve your tickets, please contact Sally at 223-5660 or e-mail spaulson@ bismarckmandan.com


report shows that of the total students enrolled, 2,275 are full time and 1,612 are part-time students. Part-time student enrollment increased 7.5 per- cent, and full-time student enrollment declined 8.5 percent. While enrollment numbers often sag


slightly in spring compared to the fall numbers, BSC president Larry C. Sko- gen cites two key factors in explaining the slight decline: a lack of aff ordable housing for students and the robust job market – in particular the opportu- nities for young men in the oil ields. According to the enrollment report, the number of women attending BSC has increased slightly, but the number of North Dakota males has decreased more than 7 percent. Overall, North Dakota student numbers at BSC have declined by 3.8 percent. “The inlux of residents into the com- munity due to the Bakken boom has


driven up rental costs and depleted available aff ordable housing for our students,” Skogen said. “To address this, we are already engaged in discus- sions about building new housing on our campus.” He also notes that North Dakota’s


young men are becoming more likely to work in the Bakken for $80,000 per year now than they are to spend money earning a two-year degree for later.


“The importance of an educational


foundation is undeniable, but it’s tough for young people to see that when faced with such lucrative alternatives,” he said. Skogen notes that BSC has made the budget adjustments necessary to adapt to the lower numbers and will look to focus on potential growth areas moving forward. Those opportunities include a focus on student completion – reaching out to those who need to complete a degree begun years earlier; attracting online students outside of North Dakota; and focusing on pro- grams that traditionally attract women.


U Mary and ASU Enter into Agreement


Arizona State University (ASU) has


entered into a collaborative agreement with the University of Mary (U-Mary) that will provide an opportunity for ASU students to take courses from U- Mary in theological studies or Catholic studies as a complement to their ASU degree.


In addition to taking single courses,


ASU students may earn a major or minor in theological studies or Catholic studies through U-Mary. The courses will be taught at the Newman Center in Tempe, adjacent to the ASU campus. Classes will begin in fall 2012. “ASU, as a model for a New American


University, is dedicated to the inclu- sion of all,” said ASU President Michael Crow. Since he arrived at ASU in 2002 he has expressed that all faith-based groups are welcome “to plant their


lags deep at the university.” That has resulted in major expansion of the LDS Institute at ASU and new construction at the Newman Center. “This exciting collaboration with Ari- zona State University serves students in an entirely new way,” said University of Mary President Father James Shea. “Through what we believe to be an un- precedented academic partnership of public and Catholic higher education, ASU’s impressive off erings are expand- ed and some of U-Mary’s best degree programs ind a new home. We’re thrilled to be part of this endeavor.” The agreement between ASU and U-Mary provides an opportunity for Arizona students wishing to continue their Catholic education or interested in studying theology to do so without going out of state.


Find all our events at www.bismarckmandan.com/events


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