Freshmen enrollment expected to near 4,100, set new record
More freshmen could be seen on campus this year than any other in Central Michigan University’s history with up to 4,100 students expected this fall.
The 11 percent increase also comes with a 2.5 percent hike in standard room and board rates, as approved by the university’s Board of Trustees last spring.
However, a total decline of 200 students was originally expected in residence halls this fall, which led to the decision to raise room and board rates, said David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, at an April board meeting.
Burdette said other factors were behind the initial decision to approve the $196 room and board hike per student.
“While they are somewhat correlated to the number of students that come, (they) have more to do with costs associated with running the residence halls,” he said. “We increased the room and board rates very modestly to help offset the incremental costs of additional students.”
Freshmen enrollment this year will break the record of 3,864 students set in 2008.
Betty Wagner, director of admissions, said last year, 3,691 students were incoming freshman.
“Many factors contribute to an increase in enrollment,” she said. “It is a campus-wide effort ... I really attribute more involvement from the faculty members and the recruitment process.”
A final, official tally for freshmen enrollment will be known in September.
Steve Smith, director of public relations, said even though enrollment is more than anticipated, room and board rates along with tuition costs do not always have a direct correlation.
“What drives room and board rates are external factors like salaries and heating and cooling and food for residence halls,” he said. “Those are the types of measures that depend upon the room and board rates.”
Wagner said the higher enrollment numbers of incoming freshman can be directly related to how more universities using social networks to attract students. University Communications launched a Facebook page for perspective students this year, which has been popular, she said.
Other factors influencing the spike in freshmen are tours, large visitation programs and word-of-mouth, Wagner said.
“Really it is that synergy of everything together that has created such an interest in CMU,” she said.
