Enrollment for the fall 2013 semester broke UCCS records for headcount, credit hours, and freshman class with each campus college posting increases in undergraduate enrollment, according to official campus reports.
Homer Wesley, vice chancellor, Student Success and Enrollment Management, released the official tally of UCCS enrollment Sept. 17. The UCCS census date was Sept. 13.
Total enrollment increased by 821 students or 8.4 percent from 9,777 students in fall 2012 to 10,598 in fall 2013. Student credit hours – the number of students multiplied by the number of courses they take – increased by 9,234 hours or 8.1 percent from 113,481 in fall 2012 to 122,715 in fall 2013.
“It took a lot of work by a lot of people to provide for this kind of enrollment. I appreciate the effort of faculty and staff who continue to provide a very personal level of support for students,” Wesley said. “It’s important to point out that improved student retention played an important role in these outcomes and that this year’s freshman class is not only the largest ever but exceptionally well qualified.”
The freshman class increased by 135 students or 9.3 percent from 1,447 students in fall 2012 to 1,582 students in fall 2013. Continuing students increased by 604 students or 9 percent from 6,699 in fall 2012 to 7,303 in fall 2013. Improving student retention has been a priority, Wesley said.
“Our focus has been to support student success from initial enrollment to graduation. The university community has done very good work in addressing the needs of students who are transitioning into this campus community and supporting their studies. ” Wesley said.
There 8,871 undergraduate students, 84 percent of the total enrollment. Undergraduate credit hours increased in every UCCS college, led by the College of Engineering and Applied Science with a 16 percent increase in student credit hours. Percentage gains in student credit hour increases by the other colleges were: Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 15.9 percent; School of Public Affairs, 14.2 percent; College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, 7.4 percent; College of Education, 3.8 percent and College of Business, 2.4 percent.
Graduate enrollment increased by 121 students or 7.5 percent from 1,606 students in fall 2012 to 1,727 in fall 2013. Graduate students are 16 percent of the total UCCS enrollment. Graduate student credit hours increased in five of the six UCCS colleges. The College of Education led with a 15.7 percent increase followed by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12.6 percent; Beth-El College of Nursing, 10.6 percent; College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, 6.4 percent; School of Public Affairs, 5.5 percent. The College of Business saw a 3.3 percent decrease in graduate student enrollment.
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