Eastern Michigan University's overall enrollment has surged
4.26 percent for the 2009-10 school year. As
of Sept. 22, 22,859 students are enrolled for fall 2009
compared to 21,926 at the same time last year, an increase
of 933 students. Enrollment is up at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels.
"We are extremely pleased with the increase in enrollment," said
EMU President Susan Martin. "We've worked very hard
to keep Eastern affordable while maintaining and improving
the quality of our programs. Our tuition increase was the
lowest among Michigan's 15 public universities, only $10
more a credit hour, or 3.8 percent."
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STUDENT UPTICK: Final reports for fall
2009
indicate that 4,683 new undergraduate students
are enrolled compared to 4,198 at the same time
last year. This represents an 11.55 percent
increase in new undergraduate students.
|
Final reports for fall 2009 indicate that 4,683 new undergraduate
students are enrolled for fall 2009 compared to 4,198 at
the same time last year, an 11.55 percent increase. As
of Sept. 19, the total undergraduate count is 17,752
compared to 17,206 in fall 2008, a 3.17 percent increase.
There are 1,450 new graduate students enrolled, compared
to 1,239 the previous year, for a total graduate count
of 5,107 for fall 2009. Last year, there were 4,720 graduate
students enrolled. This represents an 8.2 percent increase
over 2008.
In addition, the average grade point average of incoming
freshmen is 3.08 this fall, compared to 3.04 last year.
More than 55 percent of EMU's incoming freshmen have GPAs
above 3.0. This is up 50 percent from 2008.
"The enrollment increase is a direct result of
our programs, our outreach and our retention efforts," said
Bernice Lindke, vice president of student affairs and enrollment
management. "We've also offered a record amount
of financial aid this year in addition to the low tuition
increase."
In addition to the low tuition increase, a number of other
factors contributed to EMU's successful enrollment efforts,
including:
- The number of transfer students resulting from EMU'S 93
articulation (transfer) agreements with 13 of the 28 community
colleges throughout Michigan, two community colleges in
Ohio and one technical college in Windsor, Ontario.
- The new GI Bill and EMU's comprehensive veterans center,
which serves returning veterans coming back to school.
EMU was named one of the country's top "military friendly" schools
by "GI Jobs" magazine for 2010.
- The availability of evening and online courses and programs.
Credit hours for online classes increased by 28 percent.
- The increased number of open houses and programs for prospective
students, including those returning for second careers.
- The availability of classes offered at off-site locations
in such diverse areas as Brighton, Detroit, Flint, Jackson,
Monroe and Traverse City.
- An increase of nearly $1.93 million in institutional
financial aid. The University expects to award a total
of nearly $25.6 million this year, a record amount.
EMU awarded a little more than $23.6 million in financial
aid last year.
- A diverse variety of events and services geared toward
students, including career services, a mentor program,
opportunities for research and a small faculty to student
ratio.
"This year has gotten off to such an exciting start,"
said Lindke. "We'll keep the momentum going by offering
more engaging programs and activities for our students,
including the Laugh Lounge, Friday night movies, enriching
volunteer experiences and interesting excursions."
