Enrollment down slightly
Friday, September 21, 2007
Emporia State University is one of only two state schools to experience a loss of students this fall.
ESU’s student body declined by 119 students from fall of 2006, according to information released Thursday by the Kansas Board of Regents. The University of Kansas’s overall enrollment dropped by 431 students.
Fort Hays State, Kansas State, Pittsburg State and Wichita State all recorded higher student counts than last year. The overall semester enrollment at all state universities, as set on the 20th day of classes, exceeded more than 90,000 students for the first time.
“It’s not entirely unexpected,” said President Michael Lane, disappointment clearly registering in his voice. “We lost mainly students” from Flint Hills Technical College “now that they’re accredited.”
Previously, FHTC students earned their general education requirements at ESU.
But his team has been working on a fix even before the fall drop was recorded, which should reflect favorably on next fall’s enrollment.
Scholarships and recruitment efforts are being retooled. James Williams, vice president for student affairs, is creating better opportunities for students traditionally identified as non-degree seeking.
Lane also said ESU will “continue to expand internationalization on campus” by attracting more students from overseas and sending more faculty and students to foreign nations to enrich their studies.
ESU has 372 international students this fall, up 35 from last fall.
“We continue to strengthen and develop our relationships with universities in China,” said John Schwenn, vice president for academic affairs in a prepared statement.
The Regents’ report held good news, too. ESU has increased the number of students seeking degrees this semester, including those seeking graduate degrees in library sciences, and the university generated nearly the same level of credit hours as last year.
On the Net:
Kansas Regents: www.kansasregents.org
Emporia State University: www.emporia.edu