Enrollment Down

SIUC enrollment continued its slow but steady drop again this semester as enrollment is down for the fifth consecutive year, 1.6% from last fall. Chancellor Goldman plays it as "Our figures are amazing given the economy" and also blames cutbacks in MAP grants. Meanwhile, attendance is up at ISU and UI Champaign Urbana, while other colleges are reporting being swamped with students. When the economy is bad, people go back to college, but not at SIUC, it appears.

BOT Unhappy with SIUC Admin

Apparently the SIU BOT isn't very impressed with the administration's plans for getting enrollment back up. Fall enrollment is projected slightly down and PresidentPoshard said in yesterday's Morning Coversation that, due to cuts in grants and financial aid, he expects to see a signficiant hit in next springs enrollemnt numbers.

It's intersting that President Posard blames the impementation of the Banner software as a reason when enrollment is down:

Poshard said the drop could be attributed to several factors.

“We are implementing a new Banner system and that takes time to put together, particularly when we are in an enrollment period,” Poshard said. “And with the economic situation being what it is, it’s getting harder and harder to pay for higher education. Students are choosing to stay at community colleges.”