Record Increase in NDNU Student Population Means Less Parking

Six o'clock was fast approaching at Notre Dame de Namur University as students circled in cars, frantically searching for parking spots.

Except Michelle Bryan. She sat in her idling Ford Bronco, grinning, because every Tuesday Bryan and her buddy Nicole Keb swap spots. On the other nights, Bryan said she spends between 20 and 40 minutes cranking the wheel.

"We just started the swap this year, because there is nowhere to park," Bryan said. "And she's late."

Keb eventually appeared and rolled out in her vintage Dodge Charger. Bryan took the spot and headed to class with the ranks of students who have pushed Notre Dame's enrollment from 1613 last year to 1800 -- a university record, said Richard Rossi, the school's director of communications. The incoming class this year totals 568, Rossi said, and the university set its previous record in 2002 when it totaled 468.

And parking is the most noticeable side effect.

"It's very frustrating if you come after six," said MBA student Christine Acosta. "So I come early."

The graduate schools of education and business have gained 57 students and been the most impacted because of classroom size and faculty availability. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 116. Rossi said the spike came from an aggressive marketing campaign at a time when state schools are making cuts and unemployment is high.

"We'd have a hard time shoe-horning anyone else in here," Rossi said. "Every classroom in every building is in use."

To compensate, Rossi said Notre Dame is offering its lower division curriculum at neighboring community colleges, giving part-time faculty more hours, and is even exploring launching weekend classes. And to mend the parking woes, Rossi said the school has striped as many new spots as possible and is shuttling students from two parking lots at nearby schools.

Parking frustrations aside, Notre Dame students say they have a lot to brag about: Class size rarely exceeds 20 students. Professors are hands-on and knowledgeable. And the administrative process is streamlined.

"If they come prepared, we can have students enrolled in a matter of days," Rossi said.

As Acosta marched of to class, she said Notre Dame has an intimate setting you won't find at many universities.

"This school is very accommodating," Acosta said.

Roughly a third of Notre Dame's students come from the greater Bay Area. The rest are split evenly between the rest of California and out of state. The school is also serving 77 international students.

Rossi said the record increase in student population may be due to a number of factors. Between the university's aggressive marketing campaign and the recession, unemployed students have enrolled in master's programs, including teaching and MBA programs, in place of having a job. Night school particularly, an ideal time of day to complete a master's program, rose in student numbers, according to Rossi.

Notre Dame's tuition can be steep. Undergraduate students pay about $28,000 per year. Under the right circumstances, however, the university picks up between 35 and 40 percent of the bill, Rossi said.

Even so, the costs can surge higher than nearby state schools and much higher than community colleges. But many students don't seem to mind. After all, you get what you pay for, said junior Julie Devencenzi.

"I went to College of San Mateo for a hot minute, then I enrolled here," she said. "It's really nice so far."