Now that the school term is more than halfway over, Oregon University System officials have announced that total enrollment in six state universities has officially set new records.
OUS officials predicted just after the start of the school year that enrollment was up, but couldn’t know for certain until after the fourth week of class. Now, OUS officials have announced that the 69,508 students enrolled in higher education have set a new record for total enrollment.
“We’ve seen a two-year enrollment increase of 2 percent across the state system,” OUS spokesman Bob Bruce said.
Bruce said universities have maintained stable tuition rates over the last six years and made stronger efforts to add more scholarship opportunities and better retention efforts.
The University has 565 more students this fall, an increase of 3.3 percent.
Associate Vice President for Student Academic Affairs Jim Buch said the University Dean’s Scholarship is a major reason for the increased enrollment.
He said because the University announced in December 1998 that the scholarship would be available in Fall 1999, less students knew about the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. Last year was the first year the Dean’s Scholarship existed at the University, so current students have had more time to learn it was available, he said.
“This year’s freshman have been better prepared,” he said, adding that this year the University had the largest increase in freshman enrollment in the state.
“This is good news for everyone in Oregon because enrollment is up,” he said, “And more local high school students are choosing to attend state schools.”
Jane DeGidio, associate vice provost for student academic affairs, said the University’s retention program has been successful.
“There’s a lot of efforts throughout the University to make the most of students’ education,” she said.
DeGidio, who is the former director of the University’s retention program, said in 1982 the University lost 20 percent of students from fall to spring, but now only lose 9 percent.
“We know we’re making a difference,” she said.
DeGidio, who has personally telephoned students to warn them about their low grades and compliment those with high grades, said there are five principles the University uses to ensure students return each year. Those principles are caring attitudes, high teaching quality, campus involvement, adequate financial aid and good advising.
Bruce said that if the enrollment trends continue, Oregon universities will need to add new facilities and make improvements on current facilities.
“Education is not a static enterprise,” he said. “Things change all the time.”