NSU, Fletcher freshmen enrollment climbs

Although overall college enrollment is down in Louisiana, the 2007 statistics show that graduating high school seniors are stepping up to the challenges set forth by higher education institutions.

“These enrollment numbers show a healthy and anticipated shift in how Louisiana is delivering its higher education services,” said Sally Clausen, president of the University of Louisiana System.

Locally, Nicholls State University, a ULS four-year institution, posted nearly an eight percent increase in first-time freshmen enrollment this fall. Nicholls President Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert said the school has indeed “turned the corner” since it became a selective admission institution.

All of the state’s ULS institutions have implemented higher admission standards.

“Enrollment is stable and ACT scores continue to rise,” Hulbert said. “This is a notable change when you analyze this semester’s enrollment for first-time freshmen.”

Freshmen at Nicholls posted an average composite score of 21 on the ACT, which is an all-time high for the local institution. According to an ACT representative, Nicholls exceeds the state’s average of 18 and is equal to the national average.

Hulbert noted an increase in the number of Nicholls freshmen qualifying for the Tuition Opportunity Plan for Students (TOPS) awards. The program requires students to take a college preparatory core curriculum in high school and meet certain standards, making them more prepared for college.

Approximately 13 percent of Nicholls’ starting freshmen qualified for TOPS this fall.

“The quality of the incoming class is a result of the efforts made in the local school districts,” Hulbert said. “Students understand earlier in their high school careers what is needed to be successful in college and are taking the proper preparatory courses under the direction of their parents and the schools systems.”

Although freshman enrollment is up locally, across the state four-year institutions continue to lose potential students to two-year colleges. “Some students, not immediately prepared to enter a four-year university, are beginning their academic work at a community college,” Clausen said.

The 2007 enrollment statistics support Clausen’s claim. The Louisiana Community and Technical College Systems saw a 12 percent increase from last fall’s 14th class day credit enrollment.

Local technical college L.E. Fletcher enrolled more than 500 incoming freshmen as opposed to nearly 380 in 2006. Also, more than 40 students graduated with an associate’s degree from Fletcher last school term.

As a result of the trend toward shorter programs, Clausen said the UL System is focusing on strengthening student preparation and its partnering with two-year institutions.

Although Nicholls State’s freshmen numbers are up, the university’s overall enrollment is down slightly compared to 2006. This year, Nicholls welcomed 6,797 students as opposed to the 6,814 that enrolled at the school last year.

Fletcher experienced the same dynamic: Freshmen numbers increased, while overall enrollment fell one percent. The school enrolled 1,292 this year versus 1,309 last year.

“Our enrollment has stabilized, but it has already exceeded the projected enrollment goal set forth in our strategic plan for 2009 of 1,220,” said Fletcher Chancellor Travis Lavigne.

He theorized that the workforce shortage could have contributed to the student population drop. Because of the high demand for technically-skilled workers, companies are hiring students before they complete their education.

As a result, Fletcher’s technical school enrollment is slightly down this year. “This is not uncommon when the employers have a high demand for skilled laborers,” Lavigne said.

Fletcher is also under constraints because of its candidacy with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges. According to spokeswoman Marianna McCrory, the school just received it SACS/COC candidacy.

The wait for candidacy approval prevented Fletcher from adding new programs, which might have attracted more students. “The school plans to have candidacy by 18 months,” McCrory said.

In addition, Fletcher is anticipating approval by the state of Louisiana Board of Nursing for its associate nursing program. Initial enrollment in the nursing program is contingent upon the SACS/COC candidacy being finalized.

“The nursing program is not a new program,” McCrory said. “Fletcher has been working on this program for several years. We can’t wait to implement it.”

Technically, Fletcher is not concerned with the drop in enrollment because it is still ahead of the student enrollment curve for technical and community colleges, she said.

Because of the continued workforce shortage, many college students are being lured from the classroom to the workplace, said L.E. Fletcher Chancellor Travis Lavigne. Although the number of first-time freshmen enrolling at the schools is up at both Fletcher and Nicholls State University, the overall enrollment numbers dropped slightly at the start of the fall semester. * Photo courtesy of L.E. Fletcher Technical and Community College