Graphics by Michael Uribes / The Collegian
If it seems a little more crowded on campus this semester, it just might have something to do with the school record of 2,840 enrolled freshmen who just arrived.
“In 1998, when I first came here, only 1,650 freshmen were enrolled,â€Â said Bernie Vinovrski, enrollment services administrator. “Now we’re having to send some students away.â€Â
Vinovrski explained that while Fresno State has a projected enrollment of 22,600 students, an all-time high, that number could be much higher.
“Overall, there are only about 300 more students, so percentage-wise, the growth is insignificant.â€Â Vinovrski said.
“With the budget cuts we’ve faced, we aren’t taking lower-division transfers and students who are seeking a second degree have been turned down,â€Â Vinovrski said. “We’re a popular institution.â€Â
He has seen the largest growth of student recruits outside of the Fresno area come from neighboring valley cities.
“We have been recruiting a lot of first-time freshmen, and there has been a large increase in the number of students from areas like Sacramento and Bakersfield,â€Â Vinovrski said. “[Fresno State is] the institution of the Central Valley.â€Â
So why else are so many young students choosing Fresno State this semester?
“It’s so hard to live away from home,â€Â freshman health sciences major Taylor Peters said. “I can’t cover the combined costs of living and paying tuition.â€Â
Peters, 18, graduated from Clovis East High and pays half of her own tuition. Peters said she enjoys the responsibility and has been getting more out of her education.
“When you’re paying with your own cash, you don’t want to throw it out the window,â€Â Peters said. “I wish I could have been going to college this whole time instead of high school.â€Â
Another factor that is contributing to such a high enrollment this semester is University Outreach Services at Fresno State.
“The University Outreach Services program is designed to develop a relationship with prospective students,â€Â said Peña-Olgin, director of the program.
Peña-Olgin said the transition to college life can be challenging for students who come from families who have had little or no experience with the university system.
“The college experience can be very complicated, especially for first-generation college students,â€Â Peña-Olgin said. “Our counselors and student ambassadors do things like school visits and phone calls to implement communication with students.â€Â
The University Outreach Services also features a Step-to-College program in which high school students can enroll in afternoon and evening classes at Fresno State and earn college credit.
The annual Dog Days student orientation is another factor that holds significant impact on new students who may need a little direction. All new students are advised by the university to attend.
It provides an immediate meeting with an academic adviser as well as registration appointments for new students.
“Dog Days was helpful. It was good to know the things I’m getting in to,â€Â freshman linguistics major Molly Ramos said.
Ramos chose Fresno State because it̢۪s cheaper than going away. Also, her sister graduated from the university and can help her through the process.
With all of the youngsters running around and more students bound to come next year, one might think that the growth will continue but Vinovrski is unsure of how long this growth will last.
“You have to stay tuned to budget cuts,â€Â Vinovrksi said. “There’s a possibility of not taking new students.â€Â