Cover story
Improved student services called key
Tuition enhancement allocations helped fall 2003 enrollment hit a record high, setting new marks for the number of Kansas residents and retention of first-year undergraduates.
According
to 20th-day figures, overall KU enrollment rose 423, or 1.5 percent, to
29,272 students, eclipsing the record set in 1992.
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success, said the enrollment figures
could be attributed in part to the administration’s dedication to
improving student services.
“Enrollment remains strong at KU because our students recognize
that a KU degree is still one of the very best values for the money and
one of the best investments they can make,” she said. “KU
students also recognize that their tuition dollars are being invested
in programs that make a difference in their lives and that the university
is being a good steward of their money.”
Roney said KU administrators worked with KU students to develop the tuition
enhancement model and made a clear commitment to invest the revenue resulting
from increased tuition and fees in programs that make a difference to
students.
Roney said administrators also have increased the monetary resources available
to students.
“Our top priority has been to address financial aid needs,”
she said. “We’ve devoted 20 percent of our tuition increase
to need-based aid for deserving students. On the Lawrence campus, that’s
been a $5.2 million increase over two years, and I think we’re seeing
the results in our outstanding enrollment.”
KU drew a record 19,993 Kansas residents, up 500 from last year and once
again more than any other university in the state.
The one-year retention rate for returning members of KU’s 2002 freshman
class was nearly 82 percent, the best on record.
Enrollment at the KU Medical Center rose 2.8 percent over the previous
year to 2,458.
KU’s Edwards Campus also saw growth of 2.5 percent and has seen
six consecutive years of record-breaking growth.
Fall 2003: 29,272 students (record)
Increase over 2002: 423 students
Percentage over 2002: 1.5 percent
Previous record: 29,161 (1992)
One-year retention rate: 82 percent
Freshmen enrolled: 4,140
Increase over 2002: 66 students