University News
QC, Extension, Transfer Enrollment Up
September 10, 2008
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Western Illinois University's Fall 2008 Quad Cities, extension and transfer student enrollment increased, while total enrollment for the University declined slightly, according to 10-day enrollment reports.
The number of students enrolling at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities increased 2.2 percent and extension enrollment increased 31.8 percent. WIU-QCs enrollment is 1,360, up 29 students compared to 1,331 in Fall 2007. Extension enrollment at other off-campus locations is 1,030 students, compared to 781 in Fall 2007.
Total transfer student enrollment for Fall 2008 increased 2.1 percent to 1,273, up 26 students from last year.
"Our enrollment in the Quad Cities is indicative of the support we receive from students and community leaders who collaborate with the University to expand degree offerings and to develop facilities at the proposed Riverfront Campus," said President Al Goldfarb. "Our transfer enrollment is a direct reflection of our dual admission program which allows a smooth transition to Western, while the increase in extension enrollment is due to the variety of quality courses the University provides via distance learning and at off-site locations; however, we need to address why our freshman enrollment has decreased, and we must also focus on new recruitment strategies."
The Fall 2008 student headcount of 10,785 at the Western Macomb campus is down from 11,219 in Fall 2007. The number of new freshmen for Fall 2008 is 1,816 compared to 1,957 in Fall 2007 and 1,922 in Fall 2006. Western's total Fall 2008 enrollment is 13,175, compared to the Fall 2007 total of 13,331.
Despite a slight decline in the number of new freshmen enrolling at Western, the University's freshmen retention rates have risen over the past two years from 72.3 percent in 2007 to 73.1 percent in 2008.
"We are pleased that our Quad Cities, extension and transfer enrollments have increased; however, one of the most important factors in our success is the retention of our students," added Goldfarb. "I am extremely proud that the new College Guide for Access and Opportunity chose Western as only one of two public universities in the state of Illinois that best support students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, and that Western also received a 'Best Practice' recognition from the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity as one of only 13 institutions nationally for the retention of first-generation and low-income students."
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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