USI
enrolled the largest freshman class in its history, with 2,148 new
freshmen in fall 2005. The University is recording strong growth in
retention from freshman to sophomore year, the highest full-time
equivalency rate, and the highest credit hour production in its
history.
The University also has its third-largest number of transfer
students, at 663 students, this semester. Over 7,600 undergraduate
and graduate students, 76 percent of the students, are full-time
students.
Rob Parrent, vice president for Student Affairs, said, “USI's
success in attracting, retaining and graduating an increasingly
strong student body is directly related to stellar faculty and staff
who unselfishly commit themselves to making this a student-centered
and student-focused university.”
He continued, “Teaching excellence; approachable professors;
research opportunities; internships and co-ops; student engagement;
school spirit; assistance with move-in; greeting at welcome tents;
friendly and competent security; beautifully maintained grounds;
cutting edge technology; providing directions during class change;
enviable residence living and programming; phone campaigns, e-mails
and snail mail to targeted students; and a commitment to exceptional
service are but a few of the many ways faculty and staff directly
impact student success.
“USI is fortunate to have such dedicated professionals who make a
difference for students each and every day.”
The University has employed several strategies to improve retention
of students from freshman to sophomore year, and the statistics, an
increase of 8.5 percent, show that those strategies are working. The
retention growth is seen in the increase of 145 sophomores over last
year’s sophomore class.
USI graduated 1,500 students, the largest class ever, in spring
2005, so officials expected the number of upper class and graduate
students to be smaller than in 2004. Junior class figures are up by
76 and the senior class is 52 students fewer than last year’s class.
Graduate students decreased by 81, but individual graduate programs
are up for Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Nursing,
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and Master of Public
Administration.
The majority of the students (49.5 percent, or 4,943 students) come
from Vanderburgh and contiguous counties. The number of students
from area counties and other Indiana counties continues to increase,
with 1,245 students coming from area counties and 2,733 students
from Indiana counties not in southern Indiana. All 92 Indiana
counties are represented in the student body.
The number of Hispanic students has increased slightly. Minority and
international students represent 6.6 percent of the students with
African American students comprising 4.2 percent.
Students are enrolled in a record 121,644 credit hours. Female
students represent 61 percent of the students. The enrollment report
also shows traditional-age students are in the majority (7,742) and
students 25 and over number 2,262. Total enrollment is 10,004. |
|
