FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 3, 2005 - Susan Hammons

SFA continues to increase student retention, diversity this spring

Stephen F. Austin State University continues to retain first-time freshmen at a higher rate, demonstrating that increased admission standards in place since fall 2003 and targeted retention efforts are paying off.

Of the first-time, full-time freshmen who entered this past fall, 88.2 percent re-enrolled this spring. That’s an increase of almost one percentage point from the 87.3 percent of freshmen who continued from fall 2003 to spring 2004.

This spring’s one-semester retention rate is up 3.4 percentage points from spring 2003, when 84.8 percent of freshmen who began in the fall re-enrolled. Because of these increased retention rates, the stronger admission standards should boost overall enrollment in coming years, administrators say.

“I’m delighted to see the information on student retention and expect that these improvements will bode well for future enrollment, “ said Dr. Tito Guerrero, SFA president.

The total number of students taking classes at SFA this spring is essentially flat from the year prior, with 10,564 students enrolled, a 0.6 percent decrease from 10,623 in spring 2004. At the same time, the number of sophomores increased 1.8 percent and juniors increased 4.1 percent from spring 2004.

The university also continued increases in the number of Hispanic, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander and African American students this spring from a year ago, which is in line with the state’s Closing the Gaps goals. Also, numbers of foreign students, post-undergraduate and master’s degree students were up this spring from a year ago.

The university is aggressively working to recruit more students who are better prepared for college work, as well as working to retain more students. One retention program implemented this year is Academic Alert, which provides early warnings and support for students who may be struggling.

Other recruitment and retention activities include development of new Web sites with a recruitment focus; a strong, personalized communication flow to prospective students and parents; new residence hall scholarships that encourage faculty to recruit; a department-based process for faculty to contact admitted and prospective students in their discipline; and a new residential Summer Academy to bring high-achieving high school students to the campus.

Also SFA recently has begun or strengthened partnerships with several community colleges; will be hiring a new director of international studies and programs; has created an executive director of marketing position; and plans to significantly expand the nursing program over the next five years.