Wednesday, November 26, 2003
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Wednesday, November 26, 2003 |
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University System enrollment at highest level If the University System of Georgia was selling a product, Wall Street analysts would be shouting “buy, buy, buy” on news that the fall 2003 semester enrollment at the 34 public institutions hit an all-time record high of 247,020 students. Today’s report continues a three-year upward trend, as 14,000 new students swelled the ranks of those already enrolled. That is almost like adding another Georgia Southern University to the System. This dramatic increase comes on the heels of a 7.1 percent increase from fall 2001 to fall 2002. Overall, the University System of Georgia’s enrollment has increased by 20 percent — a full one-fifth — since the fall 2000 semester. The number of first-time freshmen increased by 6.7 percent to 37,036 students. This is the largest freshman enrollment in a decade. Clayton College & State University is a part of that trend, having set another enrollment record this semester, with 5,661 students. Indeed, since the fall 2001 semester, Clayton State’s enrollment has increased by 986 students (an amount in excess of Clayton Junior College’s entire enrollment when its doors first opened in 1969), or just over 21 percent. All of USG’s record enrollment increases suggest that comprehensive efforts toward “Creating a More Educated Georgia” are paying notable dividends in providing increased access to higher education. However, despite the increases, the University System’s allocation from the state reflects the lowest percentage of the overall state budget since 1967 — 19 years before the average fall 2003 freshman was born. “We were anticipating that our final numbers would reflect yet another record for student enrollment in the University System of Georgia,” said Chancellor Dr. Thomas C. Meredith. “We more than met our projections. The demand on the System continues to increase each year, as Georgians respond to our message about the need for increasing educational attainment. It is clear that appreciation for the value of higher education is on the rise in Georgia.” In addition, the average composite SAT score — a combination of verbal and math scores — for first-time freshmen rose to 1,036 this fall, a six-point increase over last year’s average score of 1,030. The average was 1,026 in 2001 and 1,021 in 2000. Overall, the average composite SAT score for University System freshmen shows a 15-point increase over this three-year period. “The increase in SAT scores reflects the University System’s ongoing commitment to raising standards,” noted Meredith. “Our campuses are continuing to attract Georgia’s best and brightest students even as we raise the bar of expectations for academic performance. It is undeniable; our partnerships and our policies are yielding dividends.” Clayton State is also one of only 12 USG institutions with an average SAT score of 1,000 or higher: • Armstrong Atlantic State University, 1,024. • Clayton College & State University, 1,002. • Georgia College & State University, 1,088. • Georgia Institute of Technology, 1,325. • Georgia Southern University, 1,056. • Georgia State University, 1,080. • Kennesaw State University, 1,047. • North Georgia College & State University, 1,074. • Southern Polytechnic State University, 1,105. • State University of West Georgia, 1,009. • University of Georgia, 1,209. • Valdosta State University, 1,017. The full University System of Georgia Fall 2003 Semester Enrollment Report is available at www.usg.edu/admin/sra/students/sat/sat_fall03avg.pdf.
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