Projected spring enrollments appear to vary by department

Some departments report enrollment running ahead of last spring semester.
By HAROLD GWIN
Vindicator education writer
YOUNGSTOWN -- Concerns about slower-than-normal enrollment for spring semester courses has prompted cancellation of a few classes at Youngstown State University.
Yet, while some departments are anticipating lower-than-anticipated numbers of students, others report that enrollments for classes starting Jan. 17 are strong and running ahead of where they were at this point last year.
It's not unusual for total enrollment to drop for the spring semester.
Looking at YSU registration figures over the last couple of years shows that the spring 2004 total student enrollment was 12,360, down about 500 from the 12,858 registered for fall 2003.
Spring 2005 had 12,396 students enrolled compared with 13,101 in fall 2004, a drop of more than 700.
The university has a fall 2005 enrollment of 12,812, and, although YSU officials aren't at the point where they can make solid predictions for spring 2006, at least one department head said a few classes have already been canceled.
"I think we're behind where we usually are for spring," said Dr. Gary Salvner, chairman of the English department.
It's common for some classes to be canceled in the spring because of a lack of student interest, but the English department is looking at a few more cancellations than usual, he said.
One graduate class and "a couple" of undergraduate classes have been canceled, he said, adding that the department has been careful to make sure that the classes necessary to meet student needs still will be offered.
Delaying registering
It appears that some students are just choosing to delay enrollment, although numbers did pick up somewhat this week in the department, Salvner said.
Dr. Qi Jiang, chairwoman of the department of sociology and anthropology, said she may have to cancel three classes, but not because of a drop in overall enrollment. It's a matter of people not signing up for those particular course offerings, she said, noting that her department's enrollment is better than fall enrollment was at this point in relation to the start of classes.
Spring enrollment is traditionally lower than fall, and it's not unusual to see some classes canceled, but it's really too early to tell what the numbers will be at YSU in January, said Dr. Thomas Maraffa, special assistant to the president.
There really is no registration deadline, he said, noting that students can still enroll during the first week of classes.
Classes this fall are ending a week later than last fall, and continuing students appear to be delaying spring registration accordingly, he said.
Must meet minimums
Deans and department chairs have a directive to cancel classes where enrollment minimums aren't met, said Dr. Bege Bowers, associate provost.
Those minimums aren't a set number but vary with the type of class being offered, she said.
The mechanical and industrial engineering department isn't experiencing any student loss, said Dr. Shawn Kim, chairman. The department actually has increased enrollment, he said.
The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services is in a similar position.
"I'm up 3 percent," said Dr. John Yemma, dean.
Upper-division class enrollments look strong in the political science department, but introductory-level class enrollments are a bit soft, said Dr. William Binning, chairman. However, no classes are being canceled at this point, he said.
Pleased with enrollment
The dean of Williamson College of Business Administration said she doesn't anticipate any class cancellations. "I'm very pleased with course enrollments," said Dr. Betty Jo Licata.
She noted the college has a slight increase in the number of high school graduates, who haven't yet gone to college, enrolling for the spring semester, saying that 47 have registered thus far.
"Spring enrollment is very strong," said Dr. Cynthia Hirtzel, dean of the Rayen College of Engineering and Technology. Students are being urged to register now, although some prefer to put off the process as a a way to delay the arrival of their tuition bill, she said.
The number of graduate students enrolled at this point stands at 700, down 66 from the same period a year ago, said Dr. Peter Kasvinsky, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
However, more of the spring students are full-time than in the past, resulting in a higher full-time equivalency rating.
The university's budget is based on full-time equivalent numbers which, on average, produce about $7,500 a year in revenue for each FTE.
Kasvinsky said the graduate student FTE at this point last year was 331 but stands at 337 right now, and more enrollments are expected.