WCU's online enrollment goes up with gas prices

Gas prices are soaring, and so is enrollment in academic programs offered online by Western Carolina University. Big increases in the numbers of students signing up to take courses that WCU offers over the Internet can be at least partially attributed to the high gas prices, said Pat Brown, dean of the university’s Division of Educational Outreach. Enrollment in WCU’s online programs is up 25 percent this summer, compared to the summer of 2007, and registration for courses that will be offered online in the coming fall is 30 percent higher than it was at the same time last year.