Preliminary enrollment numbers released for the Fall 2002 semester at the University of Louisiana indicate an increase in students - a first for a Fall semester since the implementation of selective admissions in Fall 1999.

Fall 2002 preliminary numbers released today indicate a 3.3 percent increase (or 504 students) in enrollment bringing numbers up to 15,993 as compared to Fall 2001. Enrollment numbers from University College will be totaled and added to the overall number early next week, bringing total enrollment over 16,000.

“This is great news for the University,”said Louisiana President Ray Authement. “The administration and staff have been working diligently since the implementation of selective admissions to bring enrollment numbers back up. This increase indicates our efforts seem to be on track.”

Many of these efforts deal directly with scholarships and recruitment. This semester $1 million in University funds were distributed to incoming freshmen. The highest academic scholarship - the Jefferson Caffery Scholarship - went to five incoming freshmen. These students, who are prestigious National Merit Finalists and Semi-Finalists - join seven other students with this honor. One incoming student scored a perfect 36 on the ACT exam.

As for recruitment, the offices of Enrollment Management, Enrollment Services and the Office of Scholarships all travel across the state and neighboring states promoting the University throughout the year. Discover UL Lafayette is just one program aimed at increasing enrollment with visits to several Louisiana cities by the Office of Enrollment Services and the Alumni Association. This program allows representatives from each academic college, the Honors program, and the offices of financial aid, scholarships and housing to answer questions and provide information about the University to high school junior and seniors and their parents.

The source of the preceding info was a weekly E NEWS mailer provided by Louisiana's Public Relations & News Services department. If you have any questions concerning content, please feel free to contact Christine Payton through email at payton@louisiana.edu

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