Lander University welcomed its largest student enrollment ever when the fall semester opened on Wednesday. Registrar Mac Kirkpatrick said a record 3,126 students were enrolled, representing an increase of 7.5 percent over last year. The number includes 695 freshmen, another record, and nearly 100 more than last fall.
President Daniel Ball attributed both records to the hard work and commitment of all university employees. He especially congratulated the Admissions Office staff and faculty for their efforts in recruiting, retaining and graduating students.
"I am particularly pleased with the whopping number of freshmen," Ball said. "Students have choices and they chose Lander in record numbers because this is a distinctive place."
The crush of students who applied for housing in early summer was a signal that enrollment would be significantly higher.
Randy Bouknight, vice president for Student Affairs, said the Department of Housing and Residence Life received over 700 applications by early June, up 21 percent from last year. Some students were placed on a waiting list for housing even though the university had leased and purchased residential property off campus.
Lander is leasing 49 units at Cokesbury Gardens, renamed Bearcat Village, which is home to 195 students.
At University Place, four buildings were purchased and two leased, and 80 students are living there. Another 32 students occupy apartments at McGhee Court, which the university owns.
Lander is leasing the former Inn on the Square in Uptown Greenwood for a second year, and it provides space for 92 students.
A new shuttle service using a 24-passenger bus operated by Lander police department personnel, has been introduced and transports students between the campus and Bearcat Village, McGhee Court and Lander on the Square.
Since last fall, the university has increased its student residential capacity from 1,216 beds to 1,495.
University administrators are studying a comprehensive master plan prepared by a consulting firm recommending options for expanding student housing, but Randy Bouknight said, "It's a matter of what we can afford."
In June, Lander announced a 4.5 percent tuition increase. Board of Trustees chair Ray Hunt called it amazing that the increase could be kept so low given the continued reduction in financial assistance from the state.
Lander will receive less than $6 million from the state this year, down 21 percent from the year before. In the last two years, the university has experienced state funding cuts totaling 57 percent.
Hunt applauded the staff for keeping a lid on spending. He said, "They are doing an outstanding job of watching every penny." The board approved a fiscal year operating budget of $41.6 million, down $125,000 from the prior year.