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University has highest-ever spring enrollment

Spring enrollment reaches a record high.

The spring semester saw a record-breaking number of students enrolled at Sacramento State.

A total of 27,314 students were enrolled, according to recent data from the Office of Academic Affairs, up nearly 600 from last year’s 26,727.

“We had a strong fall enrollment, and we retained freshmen into the spring semester,” says Larry Glasmire, director of special programs and enrollment analysis. “Another reason is the surge in high school students taking college courses through the University’s Accelerated College Entrance program.”

The University has been working to meet its enrollment targets after a number of years falling below growth projections. “Overall, this year, the campus is within .5 percent of its target,” says Glasmire.

Sacramento State continued to enroll a diverse student body. Increases were seen in almost all ethnic minority categories, including a 7.3 percent increase in African American students and a 7.6 percent increase in Native American students.

Student retention efforts have been stepped up as well. “There have been a number of new retention activities this year,” says Tom Griffith, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. “Freshmen are required to come for academic and career advising during orientation, which is now mandatory. Instead of waiting for students to come to their advisors, the advisors are there to guide them from the beginning.”

Griffith added that research indicates a major factor in retention lies with students developing positive, nurturing relationships early in their college careers.

Academic departments also boosted retention efforts by making calls in August and January to 4,000 eligible continuing students who hadn’t registered for the fall and spring semesters.

“Both faculty and staff were making the phone calls,” Griffith says. “And most of the time they were able to help the students clear whatever hurdle was keeping them from registering again.” The Advising Center and Financial Aid were available as back-ups to handle any questions or problems relating to their respective areas.