UND enrollment growth on track

[jimdahl]

The final numbers are in. UND is doing well, meeting its goals (UND release):

2004: 13,187

2003: 13,034

2002: 12,423

2001: 11,764

2000: 11,031

1999: 10,590

1998: 10,369

According to the Forum

Nearly all of UND's enrollment growth came in the graduate school, where the number of students jumped from 1,894 to 2,045. Included in that number are 516 doctoral students -- a 36 percent increase over last fall -- who will provide a boost to UND's research programs, Kupchella said.

Enrollments are also up at other regional schools including NDSU, Mayville State, North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton, Valley City State, and Lake Region State College, so it's not just a matter of gravitation of students toward the big two.

[IowaBison]

the scary thing is the long term trend of fewer and fewer kids in north dakota, UND and that other school to the south are in a very good situation being able to draw from the cities, but most other schools are facing challenging situations as time goes on

the grad student numbers are quite impressive, i wonder how many of those are students in fargo?

[IowaBison]

you also missed in the release that a large portion of these students are involved in distance education

that's a big number, a great way to educate students who aren't on campus, and a relatively inexpensive way to make some big bucks

it should be pointed out the there was a change in the way that the ND University System counts students in that these are enrollment numbers, not full time students so some of the growth in the number of students the last few years is somewhat of an illusion

[siouxjoy]

I think you can say that the jump in numbers that happened immediately as a result of the change in counting can be an illusion, but the numbers since that point can still be considered impressive (after that point you are comparing apples to apples, etc.)

[The Sicatoka]

GF Herald story on enrollment numbers.

Key notes from it:

- UND has about 820 distance learners enrolled this fall, including 42 students who attend classes in UND's Fargo Center.

- UND does not include in its count about 300 aviation students who take classes through the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at satellite programs around the country.

- Kupchella stresses that UND serves as many as 11,000 more people over its total head count, in some way or another, through the school's continuing education division.

[IowaBison]

i agree siouxjoy

it's strange looking at the data however, that UND doesn't have a year in which there is a spike? kind of strange

i'm surprised there are only 42 students at 'UND-fargo', but this is only their first year

[WYOBISONMAN]

The lack of kids in rural states is going to be a huge problem in the future. If North Dakotans as agroup are aging, the young talent needs to be attracted to the state from outside its boundaries for a healthy economy. The Universities will play a huge role in pulling young people in to North Dakota. The numbers look very good for both schools. It is also a positive thing to see the large increases in grad students!

[Rick]

It seems strange that students who are enrolled full time at MSU & Concordia are also counted as full-time students at NDSU, when they are only taking one class on the SU campus. I'm wondering if it's really legit to count those 228 students. If that's the case, UND should count the 300 Aviation students at satellite campuses.

[Cratter]

It seems strange that students who are enrolled full time at MSU & Concordia are also counted as full-time students at NDSU, when they are only taking one class on the SU campus. I'm wondering if it's really legit to count those 228 students. If that's the case, UND should count the 300 Aviation students at satellite campuses.

They take at least one class at NDSU, so that would classify them as "part time." I'm not 100% sure but UND includes their part time students in its overall head count. In this case it's just that NDSU's part time students attend full time at another college.

[dakotadan]

Cratter,

If that is the case you should also count the how many aviation students in the various states that who are full time students at other colleges but take only their aviation class through UND. UND doesn't count any of those students, so why does NDSU, trying to play catch up?

"UND will continue to expand the number of distance education students as it grows toward the 14,000 target. The University has more than doubled its distance education programs (from eight to 21) in the past ten years, according to Dr. James Shaeffer, Dean of Continuing Education. Shaeffer said his division, which coordinates workshops, conferences, and similar learning opportunities, serves an additional 10,500 people who are not included in UND

[Cratter]

Cratter,

If that is the case you should also count the how many aviation students in the various states that who are full time students at other colleges but take only their aviation class through UND. UND doesn't count any of those students, so why does NDSU, trying to play catch up?

None of those students will physically be on UND campus to take the class, while they will physically be on campus to take their clas at NDSU. That could have something to do with why NDSU uses them and UND does not.

[IowaBison]

There has to be a different reason than that cratter. If you enroll in a class it doesn't matter if you're on sight or not.

I wonder if it isn't some sort of non-credit training?

Also, I think the 10,500 number has something to do with extension type activities?

[siouxjoy]

There has to be a different reason than that cratter. If you enroll in a class it doesn't matter if you're on sight or not.

I wonder if it isn't some sort of non-credit training?

Also, I think the 10,500 number has something to do with extension type activities?

It's definitely training for credit. The students take courses at fully accredited community colleges and then finish their degrees at UND, usually their last two years.

It all comes down to the Board of Higher Education classification.

Some people at MSU-M were kind of annoyed that NDSU got to include those students in their numbers. A couple years ago I remember someone from MSU-M (couldn't tell you who, sorry) doing an interview on the local NBC station stating it wasn't fair that NDSU got the glory for those students. I also noticed that the interview was yanked for the 10:00 news. I always thought that it meant that person got in trouble.

[Bisonfan1234]

Admitting more students is an easy way to increase enrollment.

However, making sure you have dorm space and classroom space is the hard part.

NDSU built a new dorm that opened last year and is working on another large dorm building that will be done by next year.

Any new buildings @ UND?

[IowaBison]

that's an interesting set up then, you guys are pretty creative/cutting edge with distance education;

i've never had a conceptual problem with counting students from Concordia/MSUM being counted as enrolled students, since they are in fact enrolled,

but i do like it when the administration does give numbers for tri-college, part time, etc.

i really like the credit hours measure that UND gives, that is probably the best objective measure overall if you want to measure impact, that combined with credits earned by full time/part time students, grad students, on-site, would really help as well

[dakotadan]

Bisonfan- any new buildings at UND?

Rude Center

EERC

Dakota Hall

Not to mention Ralph and Betty

[IowaBison]

i think b1234 was asking about dorms

is that dakota hall new, the picture i found wasn't very good

[southpaw]

i think b1234 was asking about dorms

is that dakota hall new, the picture i found wasn't very good

dakota hall was formerly a hotel in town...i think it was one or maybe two years ago that the University bought it and is now using it as a dorm.

[Bisonfan1234]

I was going to say, it definately looks like a hotel from the pics.

The other building was for research, which I didn't inclue NDSU research park, and the 1st link isn't working.

But yes, any new builds are good as they provide potential classroom space.

Research is the 3rd main thing to consider as far as sq. ft. go. Definately looks like they're building up there.

[dakotadan]

Which link isn't working? They all pulled up for me.

Dakota Hall was bought two years ago. It was formerly the RoadKing Inn North. It sounds like it would be kinda crappy but I have a friend who is living there this year and they are actually rather nice. Lots of new carpet, all of the beds/desks/stands are brand new, all wood with the UND logo carved into them.

[dakotadan]

I am looking at the Dakota Student article from last week that is about UNDs enrollment. This is one of the paragraphs in it:

"Kupchella said the campus is at about capacity right now, serving around 12,000 students on campus. When the new Strategic Plan is developed, Kupchella said the university may look at building more offices and residence halls and adding more courses."

I personally think Kupchella has done a very good job since coming to UND. I think he definately decided from day one what direction he wanted to take UND. It will be interesting to see what the Strategic Plan sets out for plans and goals when it comes out next year.

[southpaw]

I am looking at the Dakota Student article from last week that is about UNDs enrollment. This is one of the paragraphs in it:

"Kupchella said the campus is at about capacity right now, serving around 12,000 students on campus. When the new Strategic Plan is developed, Kupchella said the university may look at building more offices and residence halls and adding more courses."

I personally think Kupchella has done a very good job since coming to UND. I think he definately decided from day one what direction he wanted to take UND. It will be interesting to see what the Strategic Plan sets out for plans and goals when it comes out next year.

Kupchella has done an excellent job on the academic side of things...however on the athletic side there is definitely room for improvement.

[IowaBison]

i think having lived through the anti-Ralph/Mascot stuff and keeping the University intact is quite impressive