FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Susan Hammons–July 16, 2004
(936) 468-2041

SFA’s growth in diversity continues, enrollment stats show

Stephen F. Austin State University continues to enroll a more diverse student body, according to summer 2 enrollment figures. During the second summer term that began July 12, more Hispanics, African Americans and American Indians enrolled compared to the same term in 2003.

For summer 2, SFA enrolled 286 Hispanics, a 10.4 percent increase from 259 in summer 2 2003; 817 African Americans, a 3 percent increase from 793 last year; and 28 American Indians, a 47.4 percent increase up from 19 last year.

The continued increases in these groups means SFA is meeting its diversity objects. “We are well on the way to achieving our goals for Closing the Gaps, which will be measured by targets we have set for 2005, 2010 and 2015,” said Karyn Hall, assistant director of institutional research.

Total enrollment for summer 2 was 4,545, a 2.7 percent decrease from 4,671 for the same term of 2003. Administrators pointed to several factors as responsible for the decrease.

One factor is increased admission standards that were implemented in fall 2003 and led to a drop in first-time freshmen. Even though the new standards are boosting student retention, it will take time before increased retention will offset decreases resulting in large upper classes that are beginning to graduate.

Also, a new probation-suspension policy implemented this year no longer requires probation students to enroll in the summer before returning in the fall, provided that their grade point average is 2.0 or higher. In the past these students were required to enroll in summer classes at SFA.

“However, that policy was not in keeping with the policies of other state universities, and SFA was losing students permanently who did not choose to attend in summer,” said Dr. Mary Cullinan, SFA provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“With the new policy, students with low GPAs are put on ‘extended probation,’ which will continue until they either achieve good standing or are suspended from the university,” she said. “The changed policy has contributed to lower summer enrollments but should encourage students to return in the fall.”

Graduate enrollment also has leveled off, with such areas as the National Science Foundation program to train math teachers and graduate educators’ programs having successfully penetrated the markets for those classes, Hall said.

The university is addressing its enrollment through aggressive student recruitment. Programs started this year include Recruit-a-Jack, in which students, employees, the community and others are encouraged to contact prospective students who have not considered SFA. Students who have been admitted but not yet enrolled also have received telephone calls from the university. And SFA is working with Stamats, a higher education marketing and consulting firm to help develop a consistent branding, marketing and Web presence for the university.