A record 4,186 students enrolled for fall semester

Indiana University East has continued its record-breaking trend for the fall 2012 semester, with 4,186 students enrolled for fall semester. Since 2007, IU East has had an 85 percent increase in enrollment.

Official census figures released today show that IU East has grown for the 14th consecutive semester (including summer sessions). IU East’s fall headcount of 4,186 represents a 12.4 percent increase compared to the same time last year. Faculty will teach 39,309.5 credit hours this fall, a 7.4 percent increase over last year.

This fall’s percentage growth in headcount enrollment is once again the largest among all IU campuses.

“For IU East to have gone from 2,266 students in 2007 to 4,186 students today, while increasing our admission standards and discontinuing all associate degrees, is quite remarkable,” said Interim Chancellor Larry Richards. “If we are able to do what I think we can do, our enrollment will continue to increase, maybe reaching 10,000 in 10 years. There are, of course, many unknowns, but the strategy of creating as traditional a college campus as possible in Richmond, coupled with our efforts to accommodate non-traditional students at off-campus centers and online, has worked so far, and I see no reason why it cannot continue to work.”

Molly Vanderpool, director of Admissions, said the enrollment growth over the past five years is unprecedented for IU East.

“It is exciting to be part of the IU East team during this historic moment breaking 4,000 students enrolled. In addition to record numbers, our freshman class enters the campus better prepared with a 19 percent increase in students with Academic Honors Diplomas,” Vanderpool said.

“High school graduates are selecting IU East in increasing numbers,” Richards said. “While we have had to find ways to accommodate the growth without a comparable increase in funding, this is the challenge that all public institutions of higher education are being asked to address. We have an approach and will continue to develop it in the coming years.”