[robk1982]

Here's an article from September, about the growth in students attending Flint's institutions of higher learning.

University of Michigan-Flint sees record enrollment this fall; Student numbers surpass 7,200
by Shena Abercrombie | The Flint Journal
Thursday September 11, 2008, 10:26 AM

Correction: This article and headline for this article should have indicated that fall enrollment at the University of Michigan-Flint was 7,260 students. An incorrect number was given. This post has been changed to include the correct number.

FLINT, Michigan -- Extra classes, longer building hours -- oh the growing pains that come along with record enrollment.

It's a problem the University of Michigan-Flint is happy to deal with this school year as campus leaders this week officially announced record setting enrollment numbers this week.

Overall enrollment increased 5.5 percent, according to tenth-day enrollment counts that show 7,260 students flocked to the downtown campus this year, up from 6,883 in the fall of 2007.

University officials also said they were on track to hit a goal of 8,000 students by 2010, which could bring at least the discussion of additional student housing.

"I think it's possible to reach that goal, and when you reach that figure you need to discuss capacity," said Chancellor Ruth Person.

The swell was mainly due to the largest freshman enrollment in the school's history: 909 freshmen, up from 626 in fall 2007 -- a 45.2 percent increase.

"The deans of the school are saying they have to add sections, and I don't want to shut any students out," said Provost Jack Kay during a Thursday news conference to roll out the numbers. "And with the residence hall comes extended hours and services in buildings such as the library. Although it does bring in additional revenue, we're also seeing a built-in expense."

Other notable increases include a 6 percent increase in transfer students, 9.9 percent increase in dually enrolled students, 4.3 percent increase in graduate students and a 24 percent increase in international students.

Person called the student growth on the downtown campus a historical milestone.

"We have nearly 400 new students attending the University of Michigan-Flint," she announced during the news conference. "It is wonderful news for both the campus and the community."

It's the second year in a row the university has witnessed an enrollment jump, following years of flat enrollment and some dips.

Flint Journal files show that before fall 2008, the largest freshman class was in 1998, with 731 first-time freshmen. Its all-time low was 500.

Campus officials listed several contributing factors for the enrollment shift, including new degree programs, international recruitment efforts, a nod from the Princeton Review naming UM-Flint "Best in the Midwest" -- and, of course, the 300 new downtown residents at First Street Residence Hall.

Still, they acknowledge the economy has also played a role in the larger crop of freshman applications, as well as the motivation behind more than 3,000 prospective students who gave the university a once-over with a campus visit during the 2007-08 academic year -- yet another record number.

"The economy could've propelled others to seek higher education," Person said. "With gasoline prices, I'm sure we'll see some students wanting to stay for economic reasons and the quality we provide."

Kay added that many of the new freshmen were traditional students -- meaning those whose only college experience, if any, has been through dual enrollment and who have been out of high school for five or fewer years.

UM-Flint isn't the only local higher education institution witnessing an upswing in enrollment.

Baker College of Flint officials expect to keep the momentum going with a projected fall enrollment of roughly 5,800, up from 5,674 in 2007.

MCC, while bracing for a decline, is witnessing steady numbers. So far this week, roughly 10,666 students have registered, compared to 10,521 at this same time last year.

And with a boom in applications, Kettering University is projecting 490 students, up from 435 last year and 459 in 2006.