EWU enrollment continues to be strong:
• Overall enrollment in 2012-13 was at record levels with annualized average full-time equivalent (FTE) of 10,184/ annualized average head count (HC) of 10,533. For five straight years, EWU has set a record for annualized average FTE.
• Total new undergraduate student enrollment, incoming freshmen and transfers, grew for the fifth consecutive year to 3,373 for 2012-13, up an average of 2.75% per year since 2008. More new freshmen (1,695) enrolled at EWU in 2012-13 than any other year in Eastern’s history.
• Spring 2013 marks the 15th consecutive quarter of enrollment growth. Total spring 2013 FTE enrollment overall increased by nearly 2% from last year, largely on the strength of continuing student enrollment and an over 2% increase in state support students. The average credits per student was off slightly (.04) from last year. Spring 2013 self-support FTE was down 6% from last spring, which was the highest ever at Eastern. For 2012-13 self-support FTE enrollment declined by 1.46%, or 82 students from 2011-12. This followed four consecutive years of strong growth in self-support programs.
• The pattern of enrollment growth has contributed to a larger senior class in 2013, up 5.65% or 180 students, from last year. Over the prior four years, 2008-2012, seniors comprised on average 31.95% of the spring total University head count enrollment. This quarter seniors are 33.16% of enrollment.
• Fall 2013 total applications are up 1.3% over 2012. Freshman applications are holding steady, but continue to be behind last year’s record number of applications, by 4.3%. All other application categories (undergraduate transfers, returning undergraduates, and graduate students) are up 9.3%.
• Fall 2013 total confirmations are up 1.9%. Consistent with application trends, freshmen are behind last year’s record pace by 8.9%. Confirmations in all other categories (undergraduate transfers, returning undergraduates, and graduate students) remain significantly up by 16.1%. Efforts by many campus offices continue in an effort to yield admitted students for fall.
Summer registration opened for all students on Monday, April 22. Students will begin priority registration for fall classes on Monday, May 20. Records and Registration staff is working with Academic Affairs and OIT to implement a new online system for the curriculum approval process.
Financial Aid has been fully engaged since the last BOT update in getting the 2013-2014 system up and running, and dealing with the close of winter quarter and opening of spring quarter. We disbursed a record amount of funds for the first day of spring quarter, $32.6 million, and are continuing to disburse each night. We have received 18,956FAFSA records to date and are working through them in preparation for continuing student awarding in mid-to-late May.
The Veterans Resource Center received and distributed $747,288 in tuition and fees from Veterans GI education benefits for Spring Quarter 2013 – with several certifications still pending. This totals over $2.5 million in tuition and fees for AY 12-13 (not including summer). This is 20% more than last year (2011-2012), and 127% more than 2010-2011. To date the “Got Your 6” faculty and staff education program has met with over 390 staff/faculty on campus to discuss ways to support our student veterans on campus.
Housing and Residence Life continues to improve the quality of the student living-learning experience:
• Spring 2013 Housing Occupancy is ahead 5.5% over this time last year (1,514 vs. 1,435).
• Thirty percent of students living on campus made the Dean’s List (GPA 3.5 or higher) for winter quarter.
• The new hall is on schedule, and furnishings and interiors have been selected. Case statements for donor opportunities are being developed. (We’re still looking for a grand piano to complete the Great Room.)
Numerous Club Sports teams have been in the spotlight this year, representing EWU at regional/divisional competitions:
• Women’s volleyball won the NCVA Division II Silver Bracket Championship in Dallas, beating teams from around the country (including U. of Michigan, Marquette, Indiana, and Texas A&M).
• Sportsman’s Club top team won a regional fishing tournament in California.
• Men’s Rugby finished 2nd in the NW Region.
Intramural Sports had its strongest winter quarter in 10 years, with a 10% increase in participants from winter 2011. In addition, the EWU IM regional championship basketball team traveled to the NIRSA (college recreation) national championships and placed 3rd overall.
Nationally-recognized, socially-conscious rap artist Macklemore will perform an EWU-student-only concert at Reese Court on May 30. Sponsored by ASEWU to promote elections and encourage participation in student government, EWU students will gain free entry to this event. Macklemore is known for current Top Ten hits “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us.”
