2009 Enrollment

[NewsCopy]

 UL - The state’s budget crunch has the University of Louisiana looking at ways to expand its summer school options to boost enrollment.

The university faces a $13.7 million budget cut next year. To offset the anticipated budget reduction, ULL President Joe Savoie created task forces earlier this year to investigate cost-saving and revenue-generating strategies.

One of those task forces focused on summer school, but its scope has expanded to target other academic delivery options, such as distance learning.

While an enrollment increase equates to more dollars for the university, it also means more students are crossing off the courses they need to graduate.

The rest of the story

By MARSHA SILLS
Advocate Acadiana bureau

[NewsCopy]

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced today that its enrollment for the Fall 2009 Semester is on track with the university’s plan to attract more highly qualified students while maintaining overall enrollment.

Fall 2009 enrollment at UL Lafayette is 16,361, slightly up from 16,320 students last Fall.

“ In recent years, UL Lafayette has been attracting more high-caliber freshmen and stabilizing enrollment through good retention rates,” stated UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie. “This Fall’s entering freshman class has an average ACT score of 22.3, a grade point average of 3.24, and includes a record number of high school valedictorians. Seventy students in the freshman class had ACT scores of 30 or above.

“ The enrollment increase, while slight, indicates the start of a positive growth pattern for the university, particularly since enrollment held solid despite major cuts in state funding. Budget cuts led to a reduction in course offerings and, as a result, a loss of students previously enrolled in community service courses, as well as a loss of students, particularly international students, who could not afford the necessary tuition increases.

“ I believe that UL Lafayette is increasingly becoming the university of choice for many of Louisiana’s brightest students. The university offers a high-quality educational experience in a friendly and culturally rich region of the state.”

[BrockMeaux]

Biggest thing they could do to boost summer school participation is reducing the price. Last time I did it, it was nearly double the cost per credit hour during spring and fall sessions. It's a great way to catch up or even get ahead a little, but $450 for a class that would normally be $200 is a bit much. It's painful to get that bill for $900 in the mail for two classes.

[dperrin]

I'm taken one 3 credit course this summer and it cost $571.35. For just one class!

[CajunFreak]

_ I'm taken one 3 credit course this summer and it cost $571.35. For just one class! _

Ouch! Good thing you will be saving money very soon...

[DieHard1280]

_ _

I for one hope they start up an online MBA. I wasn't able to finish mine (9 credits short) because I was transferred due ot work reasons.

[duggie85]

$1,045.60 for 3 classes for me

[CajunFun]

I am very upset. Check out ultoday.com.

[geo_cajun]

This is a huge disappointment. Just to reiterate what you say in your article, I said this the other day on another thread:

As a scientist, I am probably about as far away from a philosopher as you can be; however, I believe that philosophy plays a vital role in the university environment. The thought processes and logical thinking skills developed in a philosophy class really add to the overall value of your education. I think it would be a terrible mistake to lose such a program, and a real testament to the lack of commitment to education this state suffers from. Philosophy seems like one of those cornerstone programs for a university: the difference between a technical or community college, and a university. The fact that some programs may be cut isn't even the main problem, its the fact that they are making their budget cuts in education that is the real problem. Education propagates success propagates wealth.

[ManAboutTown]

Is there anything we can do about this?