Student rolls rise in wake of effort

Enrollment numbers are running ahead of the fall 2006 projections.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The concerted effort Youngstown State University launched over the summer to boost fall enrollment appears to have paid off.
The university announced that opening-day enrollment Monday showed a total of 13,009 students, up nearly 3 percent from the first day of classes a year ago.
Dr. Thomas Maraffa, special assistant to the president and coordinator of the university's enrollment management plan, told the YSU Board of Trustees in June that the university could realistically expect enrollment to reach 12,913 this fall.
The opening day represents a 357-student increase over opening day last fall but isn't the official count for the fall semester. That doesn't come until the 14th day of the term, and the 14th day figure is traditionally slightly higher than the opening day head count.
Ron Cole, YSU spokesman, said the university has 2,343 new students on campus, most of them freshmen.
YSU had recorded four consecutive years of enrollment increases until it reached 13,101 in the fall of 2004.
Strikes blamed
The number dropped to 12,812 in fall 2005, a decline some university officials suggested was at least partly due to strikes by both the faculty and classified employee unions just before the start of classes.
Both groups settled their contract differences in time for the fall schedule to begin on time.
YSU launched a Valley Summer Campaign in July to market the university, focusing on new television, billboard, newspaper and radio ads to reach prospective students and their parents. It built on the message, "Your Success is Our Story," depicting the success of specific YSU graduates who appeared in those ads.
There were also ads aimed at parents and guardians, urging them to have their children consider an education at YSU, and ads aimed at adults who might be interested in going back to college.
Students who were accepted but hadn't yet officially enrolled were sent post card reminders, and deans, department chairmen and advisers were encouraged to contact continuing students to urge them to stay at YSU.
There were even special advance registration sessions for prospective students.
Looking ahead
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is already looking ahead, scheduling a Fall YSU Preview for prospective students and guests at 11 a.m. Sept. 9 in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.
Students and parents can meet with representatives from more than 100 academic majors in a college fair-like atmosphere. Information on scholarships and financial aid will also be available, and campus tours will run from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Students can also get free tickets to the YSU-University of Maine football game at 4 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. They'll also be invited to a 3 p.m. tailgate party on the terrace of the Sweeney Welcome Center.
To make a Fall YSU Preview reservation, call (330) 941-2000 or visit the university Web site at www.ysu.edu.
gwin@vindy.com