UNK - The momentum of the record-breaking fall enrollment increase
at the University of Nebraska at Kearney has continued to the spring semester.
UNK officials Monday announced that spring enrollment is at 6,651, a 5.2
percent increase over spring semester enrollment in 2011 and the highest level
since 1997.
"The numbers reflect a great underlying story of quality,
service, and plain hard work," Chancellor Doug Kristensen said.
"The University of Nebraska has a very strong arm in this part of
the state, and we are striving every day to enhance our appeal and impact.
Enrollment is a high and continuing campus and University priority."
Senior Vice Chancellor Charlie Bicak called special attention to
several aspects of the spring enrollment returns.
"This semester, UNK gained 121 transfer students, which is 13
more than this time last year. Due to winter commencement and other factors
impacting enrollment patterns, student numbers for spring semester are usually
smaller than fall numbers at UNK -- and at almost all universities in the nation."
Also, part of the increase reflects growth in
enrollment in eCampus (online) offerings. The biggest growth in eCampus numbers
includes undergraduate students who take face-to-face classes on campus along
with online classes.
Currently, 21 percent of all UNK undergraduates now enroll
in both types of delivery.
Additionally, while headcount enrollment is important, student
credit hour production, up by 5.7 percent over last Spring, is important for
driving tuition income. All four UNK academic colleges showed positive gains in
credit hours generated.
Total international students increased from 422 in the fall
to 493 this spring, a 16.8 percent jump. One hundred thirty-six of these are new students, where
last spring there were 100 new international students, including undergraduate
and graduate students.
