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College of Southern Idaho reports 20% fall enrollment jump, asks JFAC for EWA funding
Summary
College of Southern Idaho officials told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee they saw a 20% fall enrollment increase tied to Idaho Launch, are adding 3,800 students since fall 2021, and requested $475,700 for the enrollment workload adjustment and five general-education instructors to handle capacity.
Dr. L. Dean Fisher, president of the College of Southern Idaho, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on the college's base budget and FY2026 request, saying CSI experienced a 20% increase in fall enrollment and has added about 3,800 students since fall 2021.
Why it matters: The rapid enrollment rise has increased demand for instructors, classroom and clinical space, and program capacity for CTE and health-related programs. CSI asked the committee to support the governor's proposed capacity-building funds and an EWA (enrollment workload adjustment) request of $475,700 for FY2026 to hire faculty and reduce wait lists.
CSI presented its budget background and the legal framework for community colleges in Idaho. Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, briefed the committee that community colleges trace to the Junior College Act in Title 33, Chapter 21 of the Idaho Code and that board trustees have taxing and broad operational authority. Campbell noted that CSI’s state appropriation is provided as a single trustee and benefits line; in 2024 that single appropriation was $18,600,000.
Fisher told JFAC that CSI’s fall 2024 freshman class grew by 20% outside of dual-credit enrollment and that the college enrolled 16,586 unique students in credit-bearing courses for the 2023–24 academic year. “We experienced a 20% growth in my prepared remarks,” Fisher said. He said CSI saw about 579 Idaho Launch recipients matriculate in fall 2024 and that the program contributed substantially to the freshman-class growth.
On capacity and staffing, Fisher said CSI needs both facilities and instructors. He told the committee that five additional general-education instructors requested through the EWA would likely allow CSI to serve roughly 750 more students, based on an average faculty load of about 150 students per academic year: “I would estimate about 750 students.” Fisher said the requested instructors would be for general-education support courses that accompany any CTE expansion supported through the governor’s budget.
Committee members pressed on pay and recruitment. Fisher said CSI faculty and many support staff lag regional community-college pay by roughly 12% and that an approximate $400,000 ongoing increase would help address faculty pay disparities versus K–12 and regional peers. He also said smaller staff roles (mental health counselors, financial aid advisors, academic advisors) are similarly below regional comparators.
Fisher gave examples of capacity constraints in CTE and health programs: a radiologic technology program that enrolls 15 students annually had a waiting list of 84, and nursing programs face limits from clinical placement availability and faculty; welding cohorts are running from early morning to late evening across multiple sites. “The students are already there, Senator Cook,” Fisher said when asked whether demand exists now.
Fisher recommended support for the governor’s proposed one-time infrastructure funds ($15 million referenced by the college), ongoing capacity-building funds for CTE and faculty, and continuing steps to raise community-college compensation to be more comparable with regional peers.
Ending: Fisher closed by citing CSI’s retention performance — an 85% fall-to-spring retention rate — and the college’s 60th anniversary. He asked for committee support to address capacity, compensation and facilities so the college can sustain recent enrollment gains.
