Minorities Help WSU Set Enrollment Record Scholarship Program Also Helps Boost Out-Of-State Freshman Class

Washington State University’s fall enrollment broke last year’s record by 552, with a total headcount of 22,015 students.

While the freshman class is smaller than last year, increases in out-of-state and ethnic minority students made up the difference, according to figures released this week.

The number of students attending the Pullman campus is 18,626, with 17,879 full-time equivalents. The total count includes branch campuses and extended learning programs.

“The numbers are about what we expected,” said Jim Rimpau, vice provost for enrollment. “I hoped to have a few more freshmen.”

Also helping the count was a 32 percent increase in off-campus learning programs, Rimpau said. Students who take classes through the Internet and videotaped material increased from 1,163 to 1,533. The extended learning classes have been used mainly by older students, particularly women, Rimpau said.

Additional mailings and a scholarship program for out-of-state students increased the outof-state freshmen from 204 last fall to 314.

The rise in minority students resulted from hard work by the recruiting office, Rimpau said.

“They’re seeing the fruits of their labor,” Rimpau said. “This is probably our most diverse freshman class ever.”

The total freshman minority population grew 22 percent, from 284 last fall to 346.

The number of black students is up from 70 to 89; Asian and Pacific Islanders from 115 to 147; and Hispanic students from 67 to 81.

The number of Native American students was down, from 32 to 29. Also down was the number of white freshman stu- dents, from 2,062 to 2,004.

Steve Nakata, director of WSU’s Office of Multicultural Student Services, said his recruiting office focusing on minorities received twice its regular budget to recruit this fall’s class. It paid off.

“We were able to do a lot more traveling and a lot more programs,” Nakata said. “We reached out beyond our normal boundaries.”

WSU recruited in California, Oregon, Hawaii and Idaho.

In all, 608 new multicultural students joined WSU as undergraduates, 108 more than last fall.

“I’m very pleased, very pleased with the numbers,” Nakata said.

Branch campus numbers also increased. WSU Spokane’s enrollment is 584 students, 555 full-time equivalents. WSU Vancouver had 1,648 students, 1,119 full-time equivalents.

WSU Tri-Cities had 1,157 students, 661 full-time equivalents.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WSU ENROLLMENT

More minority students The total freshman minority population grew 22 percent, from 284 last fall to 346.

The number of black students is up from 70 to 89; Asian and Pacific Islanders from 115 to 147; and Hispanic students from 67 to 81.

The number of Native American students was down, from 32 to 29, as was the number of whites, from 2,062 to 2,004.