ASU Surpasses 7,000 in Enrollment for First Time
September 22, 2010
Figures for the 20th class day, the official reporting date for universities statewide, show the overall 2010 fall enrollment up 7.34 percent over the 6,387 enrolled on the 20th class day of the fall of 2009. ASU’s previous record enrollment was set a generation ago when 6,408 took classes in the fall of 1989.
Major factors in the record enrollment were a 32.77 percent increase in graduate enrollment and improved retention for students becoming sophomores and juniors. The 701 graduate enrollment marked the third consecutive long semester where the College of Graduate Studies has recorded a new enrollment high. Last fall, graduate enrollment surpassed the 500 mark for the first time with 528 enrolled students. During the spring semester earlier this year, graduate enrollment reached its previous record high of 535.
“We are delighted that our enrollment numbers are a new record,” said ASU President Joseph C. Rallo. “That upswing reflects the hard work and commitment of numerous individuals and campus offices, particularly those involved in retention and graduate studies. Our task now is to maintain our momentum and keep the university moving toward our goal of 10,000 students by 2020.”
Chancellor Kent Hance of the Texas Tech University System said, “Increasing enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate level, along with improving retention, has been a top priority for Angelo State. This announcement is a reflection of the dedication from President Rallo and his team, and I am confident we will reach our enrollment goals for the university over the next 10 years.”
ASU enrollment initiatives over the last three years have included increasing campus activities and making ASU a residential campus; implementing Rambunctious Weekend and a First-Year Experience program for incoming students; expanding retention efforts and programming for existing students; and expanding ASU’s marketing budget and outreach.
“Enrollment growth,” said Rallo, “offers the answer to securing the resources we need to reach Angelo State’s programmatic goals. State funding formulas reward growth. Each additional undergraduate student brings an additional $12,639 in revenue to the university and each additional graduate students provides another $13,374 for the university.”
Comparisons by classification for the fall 2010 and 2009 enrollment with the percentage change were: freshman, 2,097, 2,102, -0.24 percent; sophomore, 1,374, 1,266, 8.53 percent; junior, 1,148, 975, 17.74 percent; senior, 1,358, 1,393, -2.51 percent; unclassified, 178, 123, 44.7 percent; and graduate, 701, 528, 32.77 percent; total, 6,856, 6,387, 7.34 percent.
Additionally, the semester credit hours taken by both graduate and undergraduate students were up 6.43 percent, totaling 84,567 for this fall, compared to 79,457 for last fall.