They
’re disappearing across college campuses nationwide and from a
college near you: Men.
They’re disappearing across college campuses nationwide and from a college near you: Men.
For the past five years Gavilan College, researchers have noticed a trend in its student enrollment: Fewer males are attending Gavilan than ever before. And the problem doesn’t appear to have a solution.
“We routinely keep track of the demographic of students and make note of any trends,” said Terrence Willett, Gavilan’s director of research. “And we’ve noticed a slight decrease in males – it’s actually happening across the country.”
Willett believes the reasons may be monetary.
“There is a lot more economic incentive for females than males,” he said. “In general, males tend to make more money than females, so the male is going to be able to make more money over less time.”
The time required to earn a degree is a short term delay in cash flow – and males may opt out because they can or because they have dependents who cannot wait for the longterm benefits of higher education.
Women represent 63 percent of Gavilan’s current student body. Their enrollment has increased 3 percent over five years. But despite representing more than 60 percent of the campus, women only account for 25 percent of the student-athletes.
Females dominate classes like biology and chemistry, and have crossed over into the business world – comprising 65 percent of accounting courses.
“Originally we thought, are we doing something to discriminate against males, are we doing something wrong?” Willett said. “But Gavilan matches federal and state demographics. The only explanation I’ve seen put out is the economic one – and that’s a little bit out of our hands. But you don’t want to ignore the problem, or not view it as a problem.”
Gavilan provides students with a more affordable way to complete the first two years of college than attending a four-year program, she said.
Gilroy Dispatch reporter Kristen Munson can be reached at km*****@************ch.com or 847-7097.
