Community colleges throughout Southern Illinois have seen enrollment in online courses skyrockets this year, and officials attribute high gas prices and convenience as the causes.

Three of four area community colleges reported increases of more than 40 percent over last fall, and for Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, this year marks a special occasion as it's the 10th year the school has offered online courses.

Ten years ago, students enrolled in 51 credit hours of online courses at SIC, said Marketing Director Donna Patton. This year, a total of 1,412 students are enrolled in 4,136 credit hours of courses, marking a 53 percent increase in students over last fall.

"We had to get on board early, early, early," Patton said, adding that many SIC students are required to make a 120-mile roundtrip drive to attend on-campus classes.

Shawnee Community College in Ullin also reported skyrocketing online enrollment numbers. Dee Blakely, director of Admissions and Advisement, said 67 percent more students were enrolled in online courses today than finished them at the end of the last fall semester. She, too, said gas prices and long travels are likely a leading cause for the increases.

"Students can't afford to drive 30 miles a day, five days a week with gas at $4 a gallon," she said.

Tom Bell, associate dean for media services at John A. Logan College in Carterville, echoed his two counterparts' messages about high gas prices and also added that convenience plays a role in many students' decisions.

"It's really a convenience factor for the students. It allows them to learn in their own style," Bell said. "I think we're going to see significant increases in enrollment in the coming semesters."

JALC experienced an increase of 43 percent from last fall to this semester, Bell said.

Nathan Wheeler, spokesman for Rend Lake College, said that school experienced an increase of 2.5 percent.

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