IU students enrolling in more hours, figures show

Students are taking more credit hours in less time, according to figures released by IU, Wednesday.\nA total of 99,164 students are enrolled in courses this semester on all eight IU campuses, an increase of 0.5 percent from last year.\nBut the number of credit hours students are enrolled in has grown 1.6 percent, from 1,101,661 in 2002 to 1,119,493 in 2003.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said this increased amount of classes is due to the rising costs of tuition.\n"Students know the cost of tuition is rising," he said. "The (tuition) rate between 12 to 17 credits is the same price, and they are taking more credit hours per semester trying to graduate from school in fewer semesters as possible." \nThe number of students enrolled at all eight IU campuses increased by 0.5 percent -- another record high -- but that increase isn't as large as it has been in the past.\nIn 2002, IU reported a 2.6 percent increase in students from the previous year and a 2.4 percent increase in 2001.\nIU-Bloomington's total enrollment decreased by 314 students from last year, but the total credit hours taken increased from 517,153 to 518,991. \nBut the biggest gains were felt in IU's regional campuses. IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and IU-East Richmond set all-time records with an increase of 835 and and 87 students, respectively. IU-Kokomo's enrollment increased the most from a year ago with a 6.6 percent change, and IU-Northwest Gary's increased by 4.2 percent.\nIn South Bend, enrollment decreased by 177 students, but, again, the credit hours taken increased by 252 to 67,721. At Fort Wayne, the trend was similar. Enrollment decreased by 55 students, but credit hours increased slightly from 63,834 to 63,969, which is an all-time record.\nIU-Southeast New Albany enrollment also decreased from 6,716 to 6,408, a 4.6 percent drop, and the campus's credit hours also decreased from 62,621 to 60,764.\nPresident Adam Herbert said he believes the increase in enrollment is due to the importance of college education in today's world. \n"These record enrollments are, in part, a reflection of the academic reputation of Indiana University and the quality of this institution," Herbert said in a statement. "Students have choices and again this year more and more students are pursuing their education at Indiana University. They understand the value of an IU degree."\n-- Contact staff writer Devon Thomas at deothoma@indiana.edu.