ENROLLMENT UP AT SEMO

Southeast Missouri State University's spring enrollment Tuesday was up 2 percent over the start of spring semester classes a year ago.

Southeast had 7,503 students enrolled Tuesday, up 153 students from a year ago, university officials said.

The headcount for undergraduate students stood at 6,642, up 34 students or 1 percent from the 1997 spring semester.

Southeast had 861 graduate students enrolled, up 119 students or 14 percent from a year ago.

While total enrollment was up, fewer returning freshmen are enrolled. The school also experienced a decline in sophomore and senior enrollment, officials said Wednesday.

On the first day of classes Tuesday, Southeast had 107 beginning freshmen enrolled, up 14 students or 13 percent from a year ago.

But the total number of freshmen stood at 1,388, down 23 or 2 percent from a year ago.

The school listed 1,372 sophomores, down 84 or 6 percent from a year ago; 1,516 juniors, up 138 or 9 percent; and 1,826 seniors, down 40 or 2 percent.

There are always some students who enroll after the first day of classes. Final enrollment figures will be reported in four weeks, school officials said.