Minot State fall enrollment shows decrease
Official fall 2011 enrollment numbers at Minot State University show a 5.4 percent decrease compared to official numbers last year. The number reported to the North Dakota University system is 3,657, a decrease of 209 students. This number is comparable to fall 2009 enrollment of 3,649.
"When delegates of UND visited this summer, we were told to anticipate a 10 percent decrease in student enrollment, based on their experience with the 1997 flood," said David Fuller, president of Minot State University. "Even though Minot State showed an enrollment decrease of 5.4 percent, this beat our expectations, which is positive."
Fall 2011 enrollment shows decreases in new transfer students and slight decreases in new freshmen and graduate students and non-traditional online and interactive video network courses. Overall, MSU students from North Dakota showed a 5 percent enrollment decrease from 2010. The number of Ward County students showed a 2 percent decline over last year.
"Most of what is seen in decreased populations can be traced to Minot’s housing shortage as a result of the flood," Fuller said. "MSU is taking notable steps to increase on-campus housing through the newly added Beaver Lodge for students, and University Heights for displaced faculty and staff."
The number of students living in an MSU residence hall or apartment is up sharply this fall, from the 2010 all-time high of 532 to 656, an increase of 23 percent.
Recruiting and marketing efforts netted an increase in students from states in the region, such as Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota. Canadian students show a five-year record high of 312, as well as international students, at 113.
"As we move forward throughout the year, we will continue to study enrollment data and monitor housing access to determine what steps are necessary to recover through increased recruitment and marketing efforts," Fuller said.
Enrollment numbers at MSU become official after the fourth full week of classes, when they are reported to the NDUS.
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Published: 09/22/11 |