University shows higher enrollment

By JENNA NIELSEN

Fresno State has received a record` 13,000 first-time freshman and 5,000 transfer applications for the fall 2005 semester, according to the Division of Student Affairs.

Only 2,800 spaces are available for first-time freshman and 2,000 for transfers.

“Fresno State’s growing popularity borne out by this record increase in applications is due not only to successful outreach and recruitment efforts, but mostly to the university’s proven academic quality, excellent faculty and staff, new facilities and affordable fees,” Bernard Vinovrski, associate vice president of enrollment services in Student Affairs, said in a press release.

He also said in the release the number surpasses last year’s by 20 percent for first-time freshman, while the transfer numbers represent a slight increase over last year’s record transfer applicants.

As a result of the volume in applications, Fresno State closed its admission application process on Feb. 1, while in the past applications were often accepted through the summer, according to the press release.

Vinovrski said because of the record number of applicants, students will have until May 1 to make their decision to attend Fresno State. If they don’t meet that deadline, their admission will be cancelled.

He also said that another 350 qualified students who applied after the Nov. 30 deadline have been told they cannot be admitted for fall but can be admitted for spring 2006. Those students are being advised about other CSU campuses that still have openings or are being encouraged to attend a community college for the fall.

According to the office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment, there were 4,781 applicants for, spring 2005. Enrollment also reached 19,624 for the current semester.

Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment gathers quantitative information about students in its student data handbook, a report of collected data and trends such as enrollment, demographics, majors and grades.

The source of most of IR’s information is the Enrollment Reporting System (ERS) data files, the PeopleSoft Administrative Web-based System (PAWS), and the legacy Student Information Management System (SIMS).

In fall 2004, there were 19,056 applicants, and 18,074 students enrolled (5,592 enrollees and 12,482 admits). In comparison with the fall of 1999, for example, there were 13,285 applicants and 15,984 students enrolled (6,191 enrollees and 9,793 admits).

In the fall of 2003, the number of students enrolled soared to 23,494. Of those, 8,321 were enrollees and 15,173 were admits. For that term, 20,663 applications were received.