Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Spring 2008 enrollment for Stephen F. Austin State University followed the enrollment trend from the fall semester, showing a marginal decline compared with figures from a year earlier. Based on data from the 12th day of classes, spring 2008 enrollment was 10,648, a 1.6 percent decline from spring 2007 enrollment of 10,822.

Despite the slight decrease, enrollment over a five-year period remains steady. This semester’s enrollment was the second largest since spring 2004 when it totaled 10,623.

The steady enrollment comes following an increase in academic standards in 2003 and graduation of the largest class in the history of the university last May when 1,036 degrees were awarded. The two previous record-setting years included May 2005 with 1,019 degrees awarded and 1976 when 974 graduates received diplomas.

Monique Cossich, executive director of enrollment management, said the effect of the 2003 increase in admission standards continues to be felt.

“The university saw smaller classes of first-time freshman students in 2003 and 2004,” she said.

During those two years, the first-time freshman enrollment declined 299 students.

“The first-time freshman enrollment decline, along with a record-setting graduating class last spring, have had an impact on the student population, but overall, enrollment has remained steady over the past five years,” she said.