PIERRE - Enrollment in South Dakota's six state-owned
universities increased 4 percent this fall, setting another record,
the state Board of Regents announced Tuesday.
Tad Perry, the board's executive director, said 32,148
students are taking classes in the public university system this
fall. That's up 1,247 students from a year ago.
Enrollment has grown steadily the past decade, increasing more
than 6,400 students since 1997, he said.
Even though the number of high school graduates is declining
in South Dakota and surrounding states, university enrollment is
climbing because of state scholarships, programs aimed at keeping
students in school, and the recruitment of older students and those
from other states, Perry said.
The state's Opportunity Scholarship, which gives scholarships
totaling $5,000 over four years to South Dakota students who meet
academic requirements and take a required list of rigorous high
school courses, has played a big role in encouraging students to
attend South Dakota's public and private schools, Perry said.
The amount awarded in the scholarship likely will need to be
increased because universities in surrounding states are
aggressively recruiting South Dakota students and offering them
scholarships, he said.
"We've got to be more aggressive in countering that and
holding them in this state," Perry said.
At the same time, South Dakota's public universities are
seeking to attract students from other states, Perry said. If those
students attend college in South Dakota, they are likely to stay
after graduation and contribute to the state's economic growth, he
said.
In addition, the universities are providing more courses in
Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Pierre to students older than 25 who
are enrolling as part-time students while they continue to work,
Perry said. Courses also are being offered electronically to
students around the state.
Northern State University in Aberdeen had a 10.2 percent
enrollment increase this year, but President Pat Schloss said much
of that is due to more part-time students.
The University of South Dakota in Vermillion posted a 5.7
percent enrollment gain. Matt Moen, vice president of academic
affairs, said the university has done a better job of attracting
students from the region.
"As our academic reputation continues to climb upward, our
student numbers are climbing upward," Moen said.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology President Charles
Ruch said the Rapid City school has seen an enrollment drop in
recent years because fewer students are interested in science and
engineering. But the declines seem to easing, and this year's
freshman class has 70 more students than last year's entering
class, he said.
Dakota State University in Madison had an enrollment increase
of 5.4 percent this fall, mostly because computer and information
technology fields continue to grow, DSU President Doug Knowlton
said.
School 2006 2007
Change Pct
BHSU 3,896 4,004 108
2.77
DSU 2,439 2,570 131
5.37
NSU 2,319 2,555 236
10.18
SDSMT 2,124 2,070 -54
-2.54
SDSU 11,377 11,706 329
2.89
USD 8,746 9,243 497
5.68
TOTAL 30,901 32,148 1,247
4.04
