The Maricopa County Community College District governing board met Tuesday night and discussed, among other things, the future of the Red Mountain campus in Mesa.

Board President Laurin Hendrix said he added the agenda item late last week to “discuss Mesa Community College’s Red Mountain Campus.”

Hendrix cited two emails sent to the board, from 2015 and 2017, about declining enrollment and revenue at the Red Mountain location.

He suggested that several initiatives meant to help enrollment failed. Hendrix asked whether it’s time to consider closing the campus.

Red Mountain Vice Provost Nora Reyes spoke in front of the board and contended her college, which has an enrollment of about 4,000, offers important services for East Valley students.

“I believe the community around Red Mountain will tell you that we are value added to our East Valley community.”

Reyes said the Red Mountain campus has several partnerships, including with Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that have benefited the college.

She also said funding from enrollment has been creeping up. 

The board made no decision on the agenda item. The MCCCD Chancellor said she will discuss things further with Red Mountain leadership and possibly suggest a work session about the future of the Mesa Community College campus. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.