http://yankton.net/articles/2012/09/26/community/doc506272c273633562419190.txt

Upward Bound

University Of South Dakota Reports Record Enrollment After Healthy Increase

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Total enrollment at the University of South Dakota soared to an all-time high this fall, exceeding more than 10,200 students, the South Dakota Board of Regents announced at a meeting on Tuesday.

Total enrollment at USD for the start of the fall semester is at 10,284, which is an increase of more than 3 percent from 2011.

This year’s freshman class is the largest ever at USD. The 1,251 students in the class is an 11 percent increase from 2011’s class.

Since 2007, USD’s enrollment has grown from 9,243 students to 10,284 this year — an increase of more than 11 percent.

USD President Jim Abbott said that the honors college program at USD is also seeing a record enrollment, with about 13 percent of this year’s freshman class enrolled.

Abbott added that USD has been focusing on retention efforts in recent years, with their goal of an 82 percent retention rate not quite met.

“Once we admit a student we want to make sure they stay for four years and graduate,” he said.

Jack Warner, executive director and CEO of the Board of Regents, said that enrollment is fairly level at the six public institutions across the state this year, with total head count enrollment up nearly 1 percent from where it was in 2011.

“Having enrollment levels up is a positive development in a time where we are exiting a recession,” he said. “Our students tend to forgo schooling and go to work as the economic conditions improve and the employment market improves.”

Statewide, full-time enrollment figures are down nearly 1 percent from last year, which is attributed to a slightly greater number of students taking fewer credits than in years prior. Warner said that this could be due to students working jobs in college and needing to take fewer credits in order to accommodate their work schedules.

Distance education courses in the state saw an increased enrollment of 1,277 students from 2011. The public university system across the state gained a total of 327 students compared to the previous year.

“I am pleased in that the head count enrollment has increased and we are serving even more students,” Warner said. “The modest decrease in full-time enrolled students can be attributed partly to adult learners enrolling in the university system to finish or start their degrees while still working full-time. Those students do not carry a large credit load.”

He added that the universities across the state are doing a great job fulfilling the needs of students enrolled.

Abbott said he is happy with where enrollment levels are at USD.

“The increase in enrollment speaks volumes to USD’s exceptional faculty, programs and resources we provide to students and we can’t overlook the significance of the generous scholarship support provided by the USD foundation,” he said.

Overall, USD was one of only two public universities in the state to post increases in full-time equivalent student enrollment.

In addition, the freshman class at USD had an average ACT score of 23.18, which was above the state and national average of 21.8.

Other universities in the state had mixed enrollment results.

• Black Hills State University saw a decrease of eight students, and a decrease in full-time students as well.

• Dakota State saw an increase of eight students enrolled, but saw a decreasing number of full-time students.

• Northern State experienced an increased enrollment of 42 students, while its full-time enrollment also decreased.

• The School of Mines and Technology saw 113 more students enrolled as compared to 2011, and saw a 4.43 percent increase in full-time students       enrolled.

• South Dakota State University had a decreased enrollment of 142 students and saw a decreased full-time student enrollment.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal