Pueblo, Colo. -- Near capacity occupancy in campus housing facilities and
a significant increase in the number of new in-state freshmen highlight the Fall
2002 enrollment report released today by the University of Southern Colorado.
Final enrollment reports are due to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
(CCHE) on October 15.
According to USC President Ronald Applbaum, the number of new freshmen is up
significantly for the first time in a decade. USC reported an increase of 37 new
in-state freshmen, a nearly seven percent jump, as well as more modest gains in
new in-state transfer students (1.9 percent) and post secondary/high school
students (3.7 percent increase). These increases reflect the efforts of a newly
structured enrollment management division and more targeted recruitment plan, he
said. Several programs experienced strong recruiting classes, most notably the
USC nursing program, which had more qualified applications than available
openings.
Occupancy both in Belmont Residence Hall and Walking Stick Apartments
experienced double-digit increases. The residence hall is at 92 percent
capacity, a 10 percent boost from last year, while Walking Stick Apartments are
at 95 percent capacity, for a rise of 14 percent.
According to Applbaum, the positive gains in freshmen and the stabilization of
resident undergraduate students and international students bode well for future
enrollment growth. USC retained its federal Hispanic Serving Institution
designation as the number of students of Hispanic descent rose from 28 percent
to 28.6 percent.
Applbaum explained that USC's enrollment is higher than what the official report
indicates as it does not include senior citizens, students taking remedial
courses, or faculty and staff enrolled in courses with partial fee waivers. He
said the university is committed to meeting the needs of these student groups
even though such services must be funded by means other than state
resources.
In addition, telecourses, which have generated additional enrollment in the
past, are not being offered this year due to a change in the funding policy by
CCHE. The enrollment report also does not recognize nearly 400 students taking
continuing education courses at four locations in the Colorado Springs area -
Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Pikes Peak Community College, and USC's
downtown Colorado Springs location, 229 East Pikes Peak Ave.
The events of Sept. 11 may be partially responsible for losses in the numbers of
continuing international and out-of-state students. Nearly one-half of
continuing international students and one-third of out-of-state students did not
return for the 2002 fall term. As a result, overall total headcount was down 45
students from last fall to 4,044. Full-time equivalency enrollment, upon which
funding is based, was down 90 students.
Applbaum said the slight decline in continuing in-state students (44 students or
1.7 percent) can be attributed in part to larger graduating classes. Graduation
headcount for May increased by 2.8 percent. Over the past four years, the
student graduation numbers have increased each year. Nearly 8 percent more
students graduated in 2002 than in 1999.
"When you graduate more students, it simply means fewer are
continuing," Applbaum explained.
USC is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional,
career-oriented and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching,
celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, USC is
distinguished by access, opportunity, and overall quality of services provided
to its students.
