Numbers are in: IU more diverse

While IU recruited and retained record numbers of minority and international students last year, the number of students from Indiana dropped off slightly, according to enrollment data.\nFinalized data for the entering class -- set to be released this week -- will show that the trend continues, officials said.\nOut of about 37,000 students attending IU last year, about 3,600 were minorities -- a little more than 9.4 percent and a campus record.\nThe number of international students increased by 200 percent in the last two years, said Don Hossler, vice chancellor for enrollment services. The female population also rose last year as women made up about 53 percent of IU's total enrollment. \nIU is also keeping more of its students on campus -- total retention is at 85 percent and minority rates have increased by nearly 30 percent over the past six years.\nSuch enrollment data shows healthy signs of diversity, Hossler said.\n"There are very few public universities in the country where a hometown student from the state can go and meet someone from Long Island or Los Angeles, Lubbock or Louisville," Hossler said. "It makes for a very interesting educational environment."\nWhile the number of minority students increased, the number of Indiana residents that attend IU has dropped for the last 25 years to less than 67 percent.\nThe drop is from declining high school graduations in Indiana, Hossler said. Those numbers have been going down for three years and are expected to drop for another three.\nBut the drop in eligible in-state students does have one upside -- it diversifies the campus, Hossler said.\n"Having nonresident students that can fill those spots is very helpful," he said.\nAs the student makeup of the University continues to evolve, IU officials say they are focused on recruiting and retaining both minority and Indiana resident students.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said a good mix of students is an integral part of the IU experience.\n"Indiana University prides itself with having a great academic program, a well-balanced student life and a beautiful campus," he said.\nTo attract and retain students, the University provides a variety of retention programs for students from many different backgrounds.\n"There are a whole range of programs for the majority and the minority to take part in," said Charlie Nelms, vice president of student development and diversity. "There are Freshman Interest Groups, FASE Mentoring Program and an Academic Support Center to name a few."\nAll of these programs are used to support students, get them involved and active and make them feel comfortable in their surroundings, Nelms said.\nSophomore Brettany Ervin said the quality of education drew her to IU-Bloomington from IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, but she also wanted a change of scenery.\n"Coming from IUPUI I feel like this campus is very diverse," Ervin said. "It's as diverse as you make it."\nBut to get closer to where IU should be, the University should target both minorities and in-state students, Nelms said.\n"The priority should be recruiting more Indiana residents as well as minorities," Nelms said. "Indiana institutions have an obligation to Indiana residents, which is why recruiting from Indiana has to remain a priority. We have to figure out how to get more Indiana residents to IU. And if there are only 500 of them, we need to get as many of them here as possible."\nAs far as minorities, even though they aren't as highly represented in the state, Nelms said, "We need to recruit minorities from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois since these states have more of a minority population"