Summer enrollment strong; fall enrollment key to budget

Summer enrollment, as measured by head count, increased by more than 6 percent and the number of credit hours taken by students increased more than 2 percent, according to official census figures.

There were 3,231 students who enrolled for the summer 2011 semester compared to 3,040 students last summer, a 191 student or 6.3 percent increase. Students enrolled in 18,512 credit hours in summer 2011 compared to 18,131 last summer, a 381 credit hour or 2.1 percent increase. The Office of Institutional Research provided enrollment data following the June 20 official census date for summer enrollment.

“Summer enrollment is strong and I am appreciative of everyone who made extra efforts to encourage students to either work ahead or to catch up in pursuit of the goal of earning a degree,” Homer Wesley, vice chancellor, Division of Student Success and Enrollment Management, said. “We cannot rest, however, and must redouble our efforts to ensure a strong fall enrollment.”

Applications for fall enrollment are higher than last year, Wesley said. While positive about increased applications, he was cautious in predicting fall enrollment.

Students often apply for admission to several colleges and wait until the last minute to decide where they will attend, Wesley said. Deciding factors can range from the attractiveness of the campus to student experiences at orientation or the friendliness of faculty and staff members during a student’s visit.

“It is important that we all do what we can to remind a student who applied to UCCS and who was admitted that he or she made a good choice and should be on campus this fall,” Wesley said.

During several forums during the spring semester, Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak connected the importance of enrollment to the campus budget. Tuition and fees paid by students is the largest portion of the UCCS budget and the only portion that faculty and staff can influence through such efforts as opening classes to additional students, offering courses at times students want them, or taking time to answer potential student questions.

In April, the CU Board of Regents approved plans for faculty and staff salary increases beginning in October if campus budgets, which include enrollment of students, are met.