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Feb. 04, 2003

ULM Announces Spring 2003 Enrollment Numbers

Enrollment figures for the spring 2003 semester at The University of Louisiana at Monroe show 7,922 students attending classes. The figure shows a 3.95 percent decrease in enrollment from spring 2002, but the decline is less than projected.

Last spring, ULM reported an enrollment of 8,248 students. That figure included 211 students in the Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP). This spring's official enrollment count does not include students enrolled in IWTP classes. ULM President James Cofer said, "Last spring the IWTP should not have been counted in the official enrollment and will not be counted in this spring's enrollment. This training program was never intended to offer credit courses." When these 211 are removed from the official number, the decline in enrollment is only 115 students or a 1.4 percent decrease.

"The decline in enrollment is better than expected. ULM was projected to experience a 10 percent decline this spring, but we only saw a 3.95 percent decline. Part of the big picture is that there is a continued decline in high school graduates and in populations from our main service areas," said Cofer.

"This is a clear indication that people are beginning to realize the value of education at ULM and there are a lot of good things happening here socially and educationally. We are doing all we can to ensure our primary goal of "students first". This is good news for ULM. We have turned the corner and we expect continued good news in the fall of 2003. We are exploring new ideas constantly. We are looking more closely at evening college, our non-traditional students, and we are extending a welcome to everyone to see what we are all about. We are working hard to provide an engaging experience to all students who enroll at ULM," said Cofer.

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