Early MSU enrollment numbers in ’08 are as expected

As expected, attendance for the first day of classes at Minot State University is closely following the trend of declining enrollment in public high schools throughout North Dakota.

Despite not seeing as many potential students from within the state’s borders, there remain many bright spots in enrollment based on the unofficial results. These include:

• New freshmen enrolled are up almost 5 percent
• Students from Ward County are up roughly 120, or 7 percent
• The number of Canadian students is over 260, up 3.5 percent compared to the same time last year
• Six percent more students are enrolled in distance education courses at off-campus sites in Bismarck, Fargo and the Minot Air Force Base
• Seven percent more Native Americans are taking classes

"While unofficial results in enrollment show us down two or three percent, there are obvious positive results that correspond directly to initiatives underway in admissions," said Dr. David Fuller, president of Minot State University. "Recruiting and retention efforts in Canada, Washington, Minnesota and Ward County are showing early signs of significant improvement."

With statewide trends showing, on average, a two percent decline each year for the past 10 years in the number of high school enrollment, Minot State University is pushing hard to attract students from non-traditional locations.

Two new recruiters will be hired soon, one to work exclusively in Canada and the other to focus on the state of Washington. MSU is exploring new tuition models to make paying for school more attractive to out-of-state students. Talks are underway to bring an English as a Second Language program to campus.

Along with moving to Division II, the MSU Athletics Department hopes to add two new sports to its lineup. A new marketing campaign has rolled out across the region, highlighting students, faculty and alumni from Minot State University.

In addition to the almost 3,400 students on campus, close to 115 more people are taking MSU classes as non-degree-seeking students.

Enrollment figures become official after the fourth full week of classes, when they are reported to the North Dakota University System.

08/27/08

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