It's the first day of the Spring Semester. Welcome back students. @sdcitycollege @sdmesacollege @SDMiramar pic.twitter.com/HpDgmEdSny
— SD Community College (@SDCCD) January 25, 2016More than 100,000 college students began the spring semester Monday at campuses around San Diego County.
The San Diego Community College District estimated an enrollment of 75,000 students at City, Mesa and Miramar colleges, up 3.5 percent from a year ago.
The district added classes at those locations, plus the six campuses of San Diego Continuing Education. Many of the class sections were made available in the evening or online, according to the the community college district.
"Our top priority is providing the classes that students need to complete their programs in a timely manner in order to earn an associate degree, transfer to a university, or enter the job market," said San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll. "While expanding the number of classes, we are also paying attention to the quality of our classes and programs."
District officials said they have hired 64 instructors since the beginning of the fall semester in order to meet demand.
Classes also began at Cal State San Marcos, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, and MiraCosta College campuses in Oceanside and Encinitas. Instruction was already underway at San Diego State University, UC San Diego and Palomar College.
Southwestern College begins its spring semester Feb. 1.
