BENTONVILLE — Student population is up at Northwest Arkansas Community College over the same time last year, a college administrator told the Board of Trustees on Monday.

The new board was meeting for the first time since the Nov. 6 general election, with newcomers Scott Grigsby and Daniel Shewmaker taking their seats.

Todd Kitchen, vice president for learner support services, told the board that 7,714 students were enrolled for the first day of classes Monday. That figure is 1.8 percent higher than the first day of the spring semester in 2012, he said. Credit hours are up 0.9 percent.

The school has yet to drop students for nonpayment, a move that will slightly lower the student population.

"That's very promising," said Ric Clifford, trustee.

The state bases college funding on the number of students enrolled on the 11th day of classes, which will fall on Jan. 25.

The college will apply to the state for approval of a health information management degree this year, said President Becky Paneitz. She said the degree would help students in a variety of medical fields.

Trustee Amy Forrest said she feels the 18-month program would benefit area students and employers, noting that many businesses have to look out of state to find graduates of the program.

"This shows how the college is responsive to the community needs," Forrest said.

The college will celebrate the grand opening of its Center of Health Professions on Friday at 2 p.m., Clifford said. The building includes 88,000 square feet of new learning space and will accommodate nearly double the number of students pursuing degrees in health care.

The school is seeking a new lease on the property planned for the home of a Child Protection Training Center. The college currently leases the former Highlands Oncology Building on Eagle Way from the college's foundation for $10 a year. The lease must be increased substantially to help the college obtain a loan to create the center.

The board approved a new policy regarding the treatment of staff. Directives include ensuring the treatment of paid and volunteer staff is fair, grievances are handled appropriately and conflicts of interest are minimized.