Increase of 250 students gives YSU its highest enrollment since 1992

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YSU President David C. Sweet

Enrollment incentive bonuses will be paid to the university’s classified employees.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Enrollment at Youngstown State University has jumped by more than 250 students since classes began just two weeks ago.

The preliminary 14-day fall-enrollment number stands at 14,682, according to the university. That’s 970 students — or a 6.6 percent increase — over one year ago, and it’s the highest enrollment at YSU since 14,806 students were enrolled in 1992.

The latest figures represent a growth of 3,000 students, up 25 percent, from the 2000 enrollment data.

“One of the keys to the future of the Youngstown region is increasing the percentage of residents who have a college education,” said David C. Sweet, YSU president. “As our enrollment grows, and as more people successfully complete our quality programs, opportunities grow in the community for economic development.”

The increased enrollment is projected to generate additional revenue for the university’s general fund, although the exact amount hasn’t been determined.

However, that jump in enrollment brings with it some “additional marginal costs,” the university said in a prepared statement. Those costs include hiring more adjunct faculty to teach the higher number of students and the payment of enrollment incentive bonuses to the university’s classified employees.

The latter is a benefit negotiated as part of the 380-member YSU Association of Classified Employees union contract, recognizing the role of that group in recruiting students.

The cost of that incentive wasn’t immediately available.

Even considering in those costs, the university is expected to see an increase in revenue, according to the statement.

There are number of factors contributing to the continued increase in enrollment, Sweet said.

A new reduced-cost tuition program targeting students in eight counties in Western Pennsylvania, a new Office of Veterans Affairs established to attract returning veterans and the ongoing recruiting and marketing initiatives are steps the university has taken toward that goal.

The lagging local and national economies and high unemployment rates are also reasons for people to enroll in college, he said.

“More and more people are understanding the value of a college degree, and more and more are recognizing that YSU offers a breadth of quality, affordable academic programs taught by top-notch faculty on a beautiful and safe campus that can help them reach their professional career goals and personal dreams,” Sweet said.