You’re reading a story from Sidelines 100, a project showcasing a century of student storytelling at Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines 100 plans to highlight 100 stories from the newspaper archives this fall and spring.
This story originally ran in the Feb. 7, 2011, edition of Sidelines. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of all things Sidelines 100.
The story has been updated for current basic AP style, but the wording in the story has not changed. Any ideas, perspectives or opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Sidelines.
Spring enrollment has increased by 4.26 percent, jumping the semester’s enrollment rate to 24,660 students.
An additional 1,007 students are attending this semester compared to the spring 2010 enrollment figures, of which 23,653 students registered for classes, according to officials with the Division of Student Affairs, Enrollment and Academic Services.
“We are particularly pleased with our increase in the number of returning students,” said Debra Sells, vice president for Student Affairs. “Our ultimate goals for our students are that they are engaged in learning, making progress toward their degrees, and that they reach graduation in a timely manner.”
The data reveal that the figures include an 8.16 percent increase in the number of returning seniors, a 4.28 percent increase in the total returning undergraduate population, and a 3.26 percent increase in total new undergraduates.
Sells said the university is judged on its ability to help students learn and successfully complete the requirements of the degree they are pursuing, as well as keeping students enrolled helps to achieve this goal.
Over the past decade, the university’s enrollment rate has increased from 18,711 in 2002 to the more than 24,600 it presently holds.
“We are very pleased to see both our numbers of new students and our numbers of returning students increasing,” Sells said. “We believe new students continue to be attracted to MTSU because of the high quality of the academic programs offered, coupled with the individual attention and support our students receive.”
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