Last modified: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
IU East sets spring enrollment record with 13 percent growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2009
RICHMOND, Ind. -- Indiana University East's spring enrollment has reached an all-time high this semester. For the second consecutive semester, the campus has experienced substantial overall growth in its enrollment and the largest growth among all IU campuses.
The campus has increased credit hours by 13.1 percent, totaling 24,028 credit hours compared to last year. There are 2,382 students enrolled for the spring semester, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Enrollment has grown in all of IU East's academic schools.
IU East credits a restructured campus and the change of its mission and vision toward baccalaureate and master's degree education. The campus' partnership with Ivy Tech Community College has created a new model for higher education in the state with the two institutions working collaboratively. IU East discontinued the admission of students into associate degree programs in the fall.
"An increasing number of high school students have made IU East their first choice university," Chancellor Nasser Paydar said. "We are pleased that these students are becoming more active and engaged on campus and that they intend to stay here to earn an IU bachelor's degree. This is good news for our communities, as most of these students will stay in this region after graduation."
Graduate enrollment also reached an all-time high this spring at IU East. The campus now offers two graduate programs, the Master of Social Work and the Master of Science in Education.
New transfer students also increased by more than 40 percent over last spring. Paydar indicated that more college students from the area are choosing to come back home in uncertain economic times because of IU East's unique combination of quality and affordability.
"Now more than ever, the ability to earn an Indiana University degree at an affordable cost is meaningful to residents of our region," Paydar said.
