UAFS, ATU-Ozark report enrollment gains

The pace of fall semester enrollment growth at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith slowed, while enrollment growth at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus was up more than 10%.

UAFS full-time equivalent enrollment is 5,895, just above the 5,891 in the fall 2010 semester. Fall enrollment at UAFS is up considerably over the 2,990 in the fall of 2000. Following is the UAFS fall enrollment figure, along with percentage growth, for the past five years.
2011: 5,895 (0.06%)
2010: 5,891 (7.2%)
2009: 5,495 (10.51%)
2008: 4,972 (5.87%)
2007: 4,696 (2.55%)

The unduplicated headcount total at UAFS is 7,589 for the fall semester, down from the 7,719 in the fall 2010 semester. Dr. Ray Wallace, UAFS provost and senior vice chancellor. Wallace, said a continued solid headcount enrollment of more than 7,500 points to the stability of the institution.

“Over the last 11 years, UA Fort Smith has shown constant FTE growth,” Wallace noted in a statement. “The institution’s FTE enrollment has increased 97 percent from the fall 2000 FTE enrollment of 2,990.”

OZARK REPORT
With a preliminary enrollment of 1,802 students this fall semester, ATU-Ozark has increased enrollment 499% since 2003, when it joined the Arkansas Tech University family. The increase is 10.1% higher than fall 2010 enrollment.

The ATU-Ozark boost comes as part of an overall record enrollment of 10,550 students for Russellville-based ATU.

“The continued responsiveness of the Ozark Campus to student and community needs is reflected in our enrollment increases,” said ATU-Ozark Chancellor Dr. Jo Alice Blondin.
 
ATU-Ozark has expanded program offerings with the addition of the Arkansas Tech Career Center in Russellville, as well as in its Health Information Technology and Viticulture programs.

UAFS ENROLLMENT ANALYSIS
Wallace said the numbers within the overall enrollment figure point to a student body transitioning to a more traditional university demographic.
 
Fall enrollment shows a 10% gain in the number of junior- and senior-level courses being taken this fall. Also, upper-level students now represent a record 32% of the total student body.

“Furthermore, 66 percent of UAFS students are now enrolled as full-time students, again the largest percentage in this institution’s history,” said Wallace. “In addition, 71 percent of the students are 25 years or less, again a record.”

Other key stats include:
• The first-year entering class of 1,357 students is the second largest first-year class in the history of UAFS.

• Female students account for 58% of the total student population, and international students show a 54% increase.

• Enrollment figures show an increase of 14 % in concurrent high school student enrollments, including a 7% increase in high school students taking classes on the UAFS campus through the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC) program.
 
• The University also reports a 38% increase in the number of students taking courses at off-campus locations.

• The number of students taking Internet-based courses is up 10%.

UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran said UAFS has increased occupancy rates in residence halls and increased the number of parking spaces available for faculty, staff and students. He added that the institution’s building projects, such as the expansion of the library and renovations to existing buildings, are all proceeding well.