SOUTHEAST ENROLLMENT INCREASES BY 63 STUDENTS

Southeast Missouri State University's enrollment is up for the second consecutive year.

Total headcount at Southeast stood at 7,846 on the first day of classes Monday, up 1 percent or 63 students from a year ago.

Graduate students account for the enrollment gain. Southeast has 730 graduate students enrolled this fall, up 85 students or 13 percent from a year ago.

School officials credited the increase in graduate students to the new master's degree in business administration program and faculty teaching education specialist-degree programs at off-campus sites.

On the undergraduate side, there were 7,116 students, 23 fewer than a year ago.

The number of first-time freshmen stood at 1,292, down 167 students or 11 percent from fall 1995.

The junior and senior classes also were down slightly.

There were more returning freshmen and sophomores enrolled Monday than a year ago.

There were 816 returning freshmen, up 46 students or 6 percent over a year ago. There were 114 more sophomores enrolled, bringing that total to 1,555.

School officials said they were pleased with the overall enrollment gain.

"Part-time enrollment is up across the board," said Dr. SueAnn Strom, vice president of student affairs.

Total part-time undergraduate headcount is up 9 percent from a year ago and part-time graduate headcount is up 15 percent from fall 1995.

"It is encouraging to see enrollment up again this year," said Juan Crites, Southeast's admissions director.

"Overall, we are very pleased with what appears to be the beginning of a steady, slow, growth pattern in enrollment, she said.