Headcounts are in, and the Texas A&M University-Commerce administration is optimistic. According to the Preliminary Enrollment Report, enrollment is down, but not by a significant amount.
Dr. Mary Hendrix, University Provost, said that the strained economy might be a large factor. There is a rising trend in students choosing to go to community colleges, and gas prices are making it difficult for the large population of commuters to continue traveling to the main campus.
According to Hendrix, last spring there was a continuing trend of a 15 percent increase in enrollment through mid-July. The University anticipated a three percent increase in enrollment for the fall semester.
That is not what happened when school started, and Hendrix said the students simply could not do it financially.
“Although we are down in head count and credit hour production from last year, we are up in those classifications and disciplines that will generate more income for the University,”
Hendrix said.
Total enrollment figures for fall 2008 are at 8,953 students, down only 93 students from fall 2007.
According to Hendrix, the areas of increase are in graduate and doctoral programs, and many of the business and technology driven programs, which are weighted more heavily by the state in determining income generating possibilities for the University. Graduate enrollment is up by 2.3 percent from last year.
A&M-Commerce is also placing heavy emphasis on retention. Retention rate is determined by the number of first-time full-time incoming freshmen that remain into their second year of college.
This year the retention rate is higher than it has been in the last four years. Fall 2008 retention is at 65 percent, and in fall 2007, the retention rate was 58 percent.
According to Hendrix, one of the main reasons retention is high this year is the implementation of the University’s early intervention strategy, that faculty keeps a watchful and involved
eye on the students, and report any red flags that may hinder the
students’ success.
The students can then be directed to the proper offices and resources in the University that will help them succeed.
“Helping the students to know where to go for help is the most important part of intervention. Many times, we assume that they know where to go, and what questions to ask, when they don’t,” Hendrix said.
A&M-Commerce is also implementing a “We Care Campaign.” The University will hold a series of town hall type meetings as a forum for informing and receiving feedback from the students.
Hendrix suggests that the University administration needs to hear from the students.
The students should feel free to tell the administration what their concerns are, and also when something is done well, so that the faculty involved can be recognized, and that the positive outcomes can be reproduced.