Of all the public institutions of higher education in Utah, UVSC has had the second greatest percentage growth in enrollment numbers this year, according to the Utah System of Higher Education.
The enrollment review, conducted at all 10 of Utah’s public higher education institutions, showed an overall 0.09 percent decrease in higher education students throughout Utah. Only three of the nine institutions’ enrollment increased: UVSC, Utah State University and Southern Utah University.
"We are pleased with the enrollment increase," said UVSC President William A. Sederburg, according to a UVSC press release. "We believe it has come about because of three factors: new bachelor degrees, university status and our retention efforts."
The review was concluded on Oct. 9 and recorded each institution’s budget-related student head count, which includes all students enrolled in a course, and budget-related full-time equivalent (FTE) student count, which approximates the number of students enrolled full-time.
UVSC’s head count in fall 2006 was 20,262 students; this fall there are 20,959 students, an increase of 697 and 3.4 percent.
The FTE head count in fall 2006 was 13,877 and is now 14,371, an increase of 494 and 3.6 percent.
UVSC’s own enrollment figures are slightly higher than those of the state.
According to a press release, in fall 2006, UVSC had a head count of 23,305 students, which has now risen to 23,840, an increase of 535 and 2.3 percent.
Fall 2006 showed a FTE of 15,662 students, while the FTE for fall 2007 is 16,135, an increase of 472 and three percent.
"It shows students are seeing UVSC (soon to be UVU) as an institution of preference and a place to get a quality education," said Cory Duckworth, vice president for student affairs, according to a press release.
"The most important thing is it means that more students are getting an education. The number of students participating in higher education in Utah has been declining," Duckworth said.
"So, any time our enrollments are up, it means students are seeing education as a viable means to enhance their lives."
