Freshman class largest yet

September 24, 2007 —

What is new, big and red all over?

The freshman class, of course.

As the largest class in Saginaw Valley's history, the number of newly hatched Cardinals has initiated a few accommodations to both academics and housing. Freshman enrollment reached 1,558 this year - exceeding the 1,450 newcomers last year - and contributes to the overall enrollment record of 9,662.

Over the past two years, freshman enrollment increased by 23 percent, but this year's total student body increase falls within the University Strategic Plan that aims to increase one to two percent each year. Freshman Admissions were closed early this year in order to stay in that range.

Robert Maurovich, vice president for student services and enrollment management, said the increase means two things: "the opportunity to serve the educational needs of our region" and the University is "doing what we're supposed to be doing."

Maurovich said the rise is a testement to student satisfaction. In the interviews his department conducts with current and former students, the responses are consistent: SVSU was a good educational experience, prepared them for their profession, and proved to be a good choice.

To keep high student approval, around 20 freshman level general education and science course sections were added to the fall schedule.

"The increase [of freshmen] is certainly gratifying," SVSU President Eric Gilbertson said, "...several academic departments went above and beyond the call of duty to make those sections possible."

Gilbertson also attributes the high number of new Cardinals to the growing reputation of the University and a fine job by the staff in Admissions and Financial Aid.

Freshmen claim 21,141 of the total 107,214 credit hours registered for the fall semester. Credit hours have increased campus wide by about two and a half percent in the past year.

The enrollment increase factors into a growth in the number of students living on campus, which is also at the highest in the University's history. Two out of every three freshmen chose to live on campus in the accommodations that rank at or near the top compared to other universities.

Housing constructed last year absorbed the impact of the increase.

"Initially, it looked as if we were going to assign roommates to freshmen who were granted single bedrooms," said Ronald Portwine, director of University Housing. "However, this situation was resolved as the start of the semester approached and numerous last minute cancellations allowed us to accommodate everyone without taking away single bed space or overcrowding rooms."

Portwine attributes some of the growth to the increase in students outside the area.

"I think the growth of the total campus in terms of physical size, residential population, enrollment, strong academic programs, services offered, student organizations and opportunities for student involvement have attracted more students to SVSU who may have in the past only considered larger institutions," he said.

The Housing department will revise their estimates for next fall so both current and new freshmen will have the opportunity to stay on campus.