Community colleges like attention, need money - ERIC GORSKI, Associated Press

"It's a difficult, challenging time for us," said George Boggs, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. "But in the longer term view, we've never seen the image of community colleges as high as it is right now. Overall, I'm optimistic for the future." No longer the afterthought of higher education, the nation's 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges enroll more than 6 million students — almost half the nation's college population. Sinking tax revenues at state and local levels have forced public colleges to cut courses or schedule them around the clock, slash summer sessions, eliminate academic programs and even restrict enrollment.