The number of students living in campus housing has reached an all-time high.

The number of students living in campus housing has reached an all-time high.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Enrollment at Youngstown State University has reached its highest point in 14 years.

The university said Thursday that fall 2008 enrollment stands at 13,712, an increase of 215 from one year ago.

It’s the highest number since YSU had 13,979 students in fall 1994.

The university also said the number of students living on campus has reached an all-time high at 1,291.

“Higher education is a key factor in the future economic growth of our region and our state,” said Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president. “Our successes in increasing enrollment over the past several years, in a region that continues to lose population, is a testament to our continued commitment to increase the educational attainment levels in the Mahoning Valley.”

The quality academic programs YSU has developed and the hard work of thousands of faculty, staff, students and community supporters are part of that enrollment success, Sweet added.

The university had set an unofficial goal of 14,000 for this year, hoping to reach that landmark number as its centennial year draws to a close.

The number of minority students on campus also continues to grow, from 2,338 last fall to 2,449 this year.

Danielle Meyer, director of university housing, said demand for student housing has increased steadily over the past several years. The 1,291 residents represent the maximum number of available beds, she said.

Student residence halls were at or above capacity for several years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, prompting the university to convert residence hall study lounges into bedrooms.

The opening of the 400-bed University Courtyard apartment complex in 2003 eased that space crunch, although housing officials predicted capacity would be reached again by this year.

Jack Fahey, executive director of student services, said the need will grow. A study done three years ago projected a long-term need for housing 2,000 students, he said.

The university is looking at three long-term options to increase housing stock: Partnering with private developers for apartment-style housing, constructing another residence hall and developing student residence options in houses in the State Street area just north of campus.