MARTIN, Tenn. – Enrollment for first-time freshmen at the University of Tennessee at Martin is up by about 10 percent compared to last year, according to the official census report compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning and the Office of Computer Services.
Overall fall semester enrollment is also up by 2.4 percent or 136 students compared to a year ago.
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning reports census information in two major categories, headcount and full-time equivalency. Total student headcount for the fall semester is 5,877, compared to last year-s 5,741. Student headcount includes both undergraduate and graduate students.
First-time freshmen for the fall semester total 1,042, up 9.9 percent or 94 students, compared to the 1999 fall semester.
-The success with enrollment increase at UT Martin this fall is fantastic!- said Dr. Philip W. Conn, chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. -It demonstrates that a growing number of students recognize that UT Martin is an outstanding academic institution offering strong programs within an ideal collegiate setting.-
One of the reasons for the overall increase in enrollment was because of the university-s effort to provide the total collegiate experience for all students, especially in the area of student life,
said Dr. Nick Dunagan, executive vice chancellor and vice chancellor for the division of student affairs.
-This excellent group of freshmen reflects a lot of hard work by the entire university community in identifying and contacting prospective students and providing them with the information they need to make a decision about college,- said Judy Rayburn, director of admissions.
-We are obviously pleased with the quantity and quality of this year’s freshmen class. UT Martin offers great academic programs and a residential campus atmosphere that provide students with many opportunities to get involved in social, professional, recreational, and volunteer activities,- said Dr. Nick Dunagan, executive vice chancellor and vice chancellor for student affairs.
Rayburn said the Summer Orientation and Registration (S.O.A.R.) program also helped students and parents decide on UT Martin.
-For students, S.O.A.R. allows them to register for classes early and the orientation gives parents the confidence that they made the right decision with their son or daughter,- Rayburn said.
One parent, on a S.O.A.R. evaluation sheet, stated she was a little envious of her child. -The university staff is excellent, helpful, kind and courteous. I wish I was coming to college at UT Martin.-
The FTE, or full-time equivalency, for students is 5,335. The FTE is the total number of student credit hours divided by 12 for graduate students and 15 for undergraduates. The number is used by the state to determine funding levels for public higher education institutions.
-The significant jump in the number of new students has come about as a result of the dedicated and enthusiastic efforts of a broad range of UT Martin faculty, staff and students,- Conn said.
-Particularly, student recruitment initiatives, improved promotional literature, revitalized student life and an exciting S.O.A.R. program are innovations that have helped us to attract a large and accomplished freshman class.-