2008 Woodie Awards
FMU grows over five-year period
Number of students declines this semester, but enrollment increases overall
Kim Gailliard
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
Recent reports show that while enrollment has declined at FMU this semester, there has been an overall growth of about 3 percent during the past five years.
While 3,864 students attended FMU during fall 2007, the new figures, released Feb. 15, show enrollment declined to 3,383 students this semester.
Dr. Ken Kitts, associate provost for academic affairs and enrollment management, said the decrease in students is not a cause for concern because "there is no expectation" that enrollment figures will remain the same each semester.
"A spring enrollment figure doesn't concern me (because) enrollment is a very complicated figure," Kitts said. "You have to take into consideration the head count, transfers and withdrawals…"
School officials said they think the figures are encouraging for the university's expansion plans.
With this growth, however, both the Enrollment and Admissions offices have been cautious in their approaches to increase attendance because of the ripple effect associated with rapid expansion.
"You want (the university to grow), but (growing too fast) could affect housing, course offerings and other things, so you don't want to grow too fast," Kitts said.
Kitts also said the administrative officers feel the numbers have been "sustainable and manageable" during this time of growth.
During the past five years, the number of undergraduates has increased from 3,097 to 3,436, according to FMU's institutional research Web page.
That figure was derived using the head-count method, which provides the most accurate number of students enrolled in courses at a university, Kitts said.
The growth can be attributed to several factors, such as low tuition, Kitts said. Set by the Board of Trustees, FMU tuition rates are among the lowest of four-year public institutions in South Carolina.
"I think that's a selling point," Kitts said. "We've worked very hard to remain the most affordable among the four year public institutions in South Carolina - it's a way to treat our students well."
While 3,864 students attended FMU during fall 2007, the new figures, released Feb. 15, show enrollment declined to 3,383 students this semester.
Dr. Ken Kitts, associate provost for academic affairs and enrollment management, said the decrease in students is not a cause for concern because "there is no expectation" that enrollment figures will remain the same each semester.
"A spring enrollment figure doesn't concern me (because) enrollment is a very complicated figure," Kitts said. "You have to take into consideration the head count, transfers and withdrawals…"
School officials said they think the figures are encouraging for the university's expansion plans.
With this growth, however, both the Enrollment and Admissions offices have been cautious in their approaches to increase attendance because of the ripple effect associated with rapid expansion.
"You want (the university to grow), but (growing too fast) could affect housing, course offerings and other things, so you don't want to grow too fast," Kitts said.
Kitts also said the administrative officers feel the numbers have been "sustainable and manageable" during this time of growth.
During the past five years, the number of undergraduates has increased from 3,097 to 3,436, according to FMU's institutional research Web page.
That figure was derived using the head-count method, which provides the most accurate number of students enrolled in courses at a university, Kitts said.
The growth can be attributed to several factors, such as low tuition, Kitts said. Set by the Board of Trustees, FMU tuition rates are among the lowest of four-year public institutions in South Carolina.
"I think that's a selling point," Kitts said. "We've worked very hard to remain the most affordable among the four year public institutions in South Carolina - it's a way to treat our students well."
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