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| Summer quarter enrollment is up 24 percent from 2004, a significant increase. |
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| Students take time out to study near the fountains during summer quarter. |
The early results are in. Although still in summer quarter's add/drop period, Enrollment Management & Services predicts a record-high 7,900 students on campus this summer, which is a 24 percent increase from 2004 and a 14 percent increase from 2005. Entering student enrollment is even more impressive–up 34 percent from summer 2005.
“Several factors contributed to achieving our summer enrollment goal,” says Kathy Street, associate vice president of Enrollment Management & Services, who was instrumental in launching university-wide student survey regarding the summer quarter course offerings students would most like to enroll in.
During winter quarter, 74 percent of students added more upper division courses to their summer quarter wish list. Students also expressed interest in fast-track/five-week courses and increased access to financial aid and work study options. In response, 245 new courses were added to summer quarter 2006, with 61 percent as 300 and 400 level classes and 95 percent of the courses were those specifically requested by students. A comprehensive communication plan was then launched to inform the entering and continuing student populations of their new summer options. Enrollment in an enhanced Early Start program for entering freshmen in need of preparatory work in math and English reached 235 students, increasing 88 percent over last year's enrollment in the same program.
“The campus was intentional in setting an ambitious target for summer enrollment to provide students the opportunity to get ahead with completing their degree requirements,” says Street. “With the increased course offerings, students are able to take courses that position them for success in the new academic year.”
In addition to an expanded and enriched course offering, more than $1,2 million in financial aid (grants, loans and work study) was awarded to more than 650 students, a whopping 268 percent increase in grants and 23 percent increase in total aid from summer 2005.
“We highly value students' input when determining how we can best support their educational goals,” says Street. ”By responding quickly, we are communicating that we heard what they said and that their feedback made a difference. We hope that this will encourage students to continue to participate in these important dialogs.”