FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Susan Hammons–Feb. 5, 2004

(936) 468-2041

SFA releases spring enrollment figures

            Graduate enrollment at Stephen F. Austin State University continues to grow and a higher percentage of freshmen who began last fall re-enrolled this spring compared to last year, despite a slight decrease in total enrollment.

            Spring 2004 graduate enrollment increased 1.9 percent to 1,747 students, up from 1,715 in spring 2003, according to figures released today by the university. Undergraduates decreased 2.2 percent to 8,876, down from 9,074 last spring. Total enrollment was 10,623, a 1.5 percent decrease from 10,789 in spring 2003.

            Administrators point to a higher retention of first-time freshmen this spring as compared to last spring as indicating that tougher admission standards implemented in the fall are having the intended effect. This spring 87.3 percent of freshmen who began in the fall re-enrolled, a 2.5 percent increase from 84.8 percent who continued from fall 2002 to spring 2003. Because of increased retention rates, the stronger admission standards should boost overall enrollment in coming years.

            “I’m pleased to see that our graduate enrollment continues to grow and that our first-time, full-time freshmen retention figures are rising,” said Dr. Tito Guerrero III, SFA president.

“It’s not surprising that we had a decline in undergraduate enrollment, for at least a couple of reasons: One, we raised our admission standards, and that means a smaller number of students who apply are accepted, and we saw that in the fall. Second, usually spring enrollment is a reflection of the fall enrollment, and since our fall undergraduate enrollment was down - even though we hoped it would be higher - spring was also down.”

            Standardized test scores show that the university immediately began attracting better-prepared students. First-time freshmen at SFA this past fall averaged an SAT composite score of 1,000, which equaled the highest score in 25 years, according to the Office of Admissions. That score also exceeded the average of all Texas students who took the test.

            This spring increases were registered in the number of Hispanic students, up 2.4 percent; American Indians, up 6.3 percent; and foreign students, up 3 percent. The increases demonstrate the results of efforts to increase diversity and attract more international students

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