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Editor-in-Chief The
statistics are in, and Missouri Southern s doing better than expected. Despite
the tuition increase, student enrollment at Southern decreased little
since last year. It
confirms to us that people see first, the value in a college education,
and secondly, the advantage of going to a four-year institution, said
Dr. Delores Honey, assistant vice president for assessment and
institutional research. Total
enrollment for the fall 2002 semester is 5,823, only 76 less than last
year. Fall 2001 had a record enrollment for the past decade at 5,899.
This year s enrollment is the second highest in 11 years. The
full-time equivalency figure includes enrollment of full-time students
only. The FTE deficit is only 45 less than last year. To
say we re pleased with that is an understatement, Honey said.
We re extremely pleased with that even with the economy as bad as
it is. Erina
Parks, senior theatre major, said she expected enrollment to decrease
because of the tuition raise and was surprised that it did not. She said
people continue to come to Southern, despite the money problems, because
it is a good college. People
would rather pay that extra amount because they get their dollar s
worth, she said. Figures
in the distance learning program were also positive. Of all the distance
learning classes (courses with 7,000 line numbers), 1,570 unduplicated
students are enrolled in some form of television or Internet course.
This does not include classes that use Blackboard. Unduplicated means
that no matter how many or what courses students take, they are only
counted once. Of
the duplicated students, 2,100 are enrolled in television or Internet
courses. Duplicated means if a student takes regular and distance
learning classes, they are counted twice. This
is a way students can work one or two additional courses into their busy
schedule, said Dr. Jack Spurlin, vice president for lifelong
learning. The beauty of the Internet is they don t have to be at a
certain place at a certain time. This
semester, Southern is offering 74 Internet classes, as well as 240
Web-enhanced classes, which means they use Blackboard. Currently, 114
instructors use Blackboard in their classrooms. That s
an amazing figure, Spurlin said. Dr.
John P. Messick, dean of arts and sciences, teaches a hybrid
class, which meets 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays and uses narrated notes on CD and
on Blackboard. Messick
said he uses Blackboard to supplement his teaching, which provides
consistency, efficiency and ease for the students and himself. I
don t intend for it to take the place of normal teaching, but it s a
useful supplement, he said. Parks
is enrolled in Internet and Blackboard courses. The
computer helps, but nothing compares to actually being in class, seeing
the teacher and actually being able to ask questions face-to-face,
she said. Spurlin
himself uses the Internet to enhance his Introduction to Criminal
Justice class, sending the students on a Web Quest to search for
information on the Internet. In
spite of the College s recent financial difficulties, Parks, Honey and
Spurlin all agreed students continue to enroll at Southern for its value
and programs. Spurlin said the international mission attracts many
students, and the education, dental and nursing departments tend to be
the top in the state. People
don t come here because it s a party school, he said.
No-nonsense students come here to get an education for life. Honey
said the College has a reputation for excellence. Going
to Southern fits well with students lifestyles, she said.
We re trying to serve a variety of students. |
