NAU credits recruitment efforts for enrollment increase
Cautious optimism about enrollment at Northern Arizona University turned into celebration as the official student count for fall 2004 exceeded expectations.

NAU's total enrollment climbed to 19,147--about a 2 percent increase over last year's enrollment of 18,824. Increases were recorded among Flagstaff-based students, statewide students, all ethnic minority groups and out-of-state students.

"These numbers point to an all-out total university effort to boost enrollment," said NAU President John Haeger. "This campus accepted the challenge two years ago to grow enrollment, and the campus has turned it around."

For the first time since 1995, fall enrollment on NAU's Flagstaff campus is up. NAU has 106 more students on the Flagstaff campus than last year. The official enrollment count puts the current number of Flagstaff-based students at 12,980.

The statewide programs offered throughout Arizona by NAU Distance Learning reported nearly a 3 percent increase, bringing statewide enrollment up to 5,446. The university’s Yuma site posted a 10 percent increase for a total of 721 students.

"The enrollment increase is the result of a universitywide effort," said David Bousquet, NAU vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. "People all across campus and in the community have been involved."

In particular, Bousquet acknowledged the efforts of the Alumni Office, Parents' Association, Gateway Student Success Center, Commission on Ethnic Diversity, student leaders, faculty and staff. "Capital Assets has helped considerably as they have focused on the physical condition of campus. That makes a significant difference," he said.

Enrollment is also up 10.8 percent for Native American students, 9.9 percent for Asian/Pacific Islander, 8.5 percent for Hispanic and 5.1 percent for African-American students. And NAU enrolled 19 more international students this fall for a total of 335--a 6 percent increase.

For the first time since 1996, the number of out-of-state students increased. Enrollment of nonresident students increased by 200 to 2,850, or 7.5 percent, over 2003.

A look at the entire student population reveals the university is up 318 (2.4 percent) in undergraduate students and up five (.1 percent) in graduate students. Undergraduate enrollment totals 13,333, and graduate enrollment totals 5,814.

Bousquet explained that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has been focused and proactive in its recruitment efforts. The university increased its open-house programs for prospective students and parents from four to 13 this past year. "We've done a much better job as an institution of showcasing the campus,” Bousquet said.

Not only is NAU's enrollment up, its retention rate for first-year students hit the 70 percent mark for the first time in the university's history. The first-year retention rate was 69.3 percent in 2003.

NAU stats also point to an ever-increasing trend in higher education—online learning. The number of web courses offered through NAU Distance Learning jumped 46 percent over last year.

"We've put a lot of energy into developing web courses because they are so convenient for our population of mostly part-time students who also have jobs or families or both," said Fred Hurst, interim vice president for extended programs.

The energy from recruiting and developing courses is paying off.

"We had expected enrollment to be flat this fall," Haeger said."Now we have more cause for celebration because we've done even better than anticipated. NAU is building momentum, and we will not let up."

NAU enrollment highlights are available at www.nau.edu/pair.