Preliminary enrollment figures suggest record increase

Peters calls for state funding to match increased levels of service

by Melanie Magara

Unofficial enrollment figures compiled just before classes began last week point toward a record one-year increase and new freshmen numbers that haven't been seen in a decade.

While we're pleased that more students have chosen NIU — and clearly it's a very smart choice for many reasons — we cannot sustain this growth pattern without additional state resources." - NIU President John Peters

According to NIU Admissions Director Bob Burk, the "Sunday-before-classes" total showed an overall increase of more than 1,100 students. Burk said the new freshman class likely would top 3,000; undergraduates could well exceed 18,000, and NIU's total enrollment could reach 24,500

"We've known for some time that this would be a big year," Burk said. "The number of high school seniors in our region has grown, post-911 issues have convinced a lot of people to stay closer to home, and the economy is sending a larger number of people back to graduate school.

"But beyond that, our admissions staff has been hearing a great `buzz' about NIU in the region this year," Burk added. "Most of that is due to our faculty and staff, and the word-of-mouth message out there that NIU students get a great deal of personal attention from top-notch teaching and support staff. The other thing we're hearing is that the Convocation Center, Barsema Hall and other physical improvements here are generating a lot of excitement among our prospective students."

Final numbers won't be considered official until the "tenth-day count" Sept. 6, but Burk is confident that there will be little change from these early figures.

"We'll lose a few here and there, and we'll pick up a few, but I'm pretty confident that the final numbers will come in very close to what we're sharing now."

If early projections hold, NIU's overall enrollment will exceed 24,000 for the first time in 10 years. Similarly, a freshman class of more than 3,000 would be the first of its size in a decade. And the size of this year's overall increase — 1,100 plus — clearly would be the largest single-year increase in more than 25 years.

"Enrollment is up nationwide, and I know a number of our peer institutions are reporting sizeable increases," Peters said. "At the same time, this is clearly a very significant jump.

"The most significant thing about this year's enrollment may not be the actual numbers, but the fact that NIU faculty and staff are serving more students with fewer resources," Peters said.

"When I look at what we've just been through as an institution (NIU lost $13 million in state funds this year), I view the efforts of our teaching and support staff as nothing short of heroic," Peters said.

"We've found ways to stretch limited resources. But clearly — and these numbers highlight the need — we have to redouble our efforts in Springfield this year to regain lost financial ground," Peters added.

"While we're pleased that more students have chosen NIU — and clearly it's a very smart choice for many reasons — we cannot sustain this growth pattern without additional state resources," Peters said.

"Being able to say that NIU is in demand, that we're serving more students and that we're committed to giving our students the best possible experience even when budgets are strained — these are great messages that speak to the character of our university."