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 MSU fall enrollment numbers up Official fall 2008 enrollment numbers show an increase compared to official numbers last year. The official number reported to the North Dakota University System is 3,432, an increase of eight students. While North Dakota is experiencing a decline in high school graduates by more than 2 percent every year for the past ten years, Minot State freshman numbers declined only slightly. However, MSU realized a significant jump in retention rate of freshmen from last year, up seven percent compared to the same time last year. These increases come as a result of a number of activities designed to assist first-year students, such as the Foundations of Excellence initiatives undertaken on campus. Overall, students from Canada jumped up 15 percent to 280 total, the highest in five years. Enrollments from Manitoba increased by 21 percent, Saskatchewan 8.5 percent, and 29 percent from all other provinces. The number of international students increased to 57, up 42 percent compared to official numbers from last year. Ward County numbers increased by 162, or almost 9 percent. Other increases were recorded in off-campus sites, such as in Bismarck, where MSU collaborates with Bismarck State College. Other areas showed increases. Native American students increased by 5 percent. Notable increases were seen in states where MSU has targeted recruiting programs, such as Minnesota, Washington, and California. "Breaking down our official fall enrollment shows that our recruiting initiatives are realizing real success stories," said David Fuller, Ph.D., president of Minot State University. "Recruiting and retention efforts in Canada, Washington, Minnesota, Ward County and our relationships with international universities and our Native American partners are showing early signs of significant impact." Anticipating continued declines in enrollments from outlying counties in North Dakota, MSU is taking steps to recruit new students from other areas, as well as retain current students. "I find these enrollment figures to be encouraging," Fuller remarked. "Many of our initiatives are now resulting in successes in key areas where we have focused our attention." Two new recruiters will be hired soon, one to work exclusively in Canada and the other to focus on the state of Washington. The number of full-time undergraduate students is up to 2,238. 09/23/08 | |||||||||||||
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