Minority enrollment, retention rates at Ohio State increasing - 11/05/02

COLUMBUS – University initiatives to create a more diverse environment appear to be showing results. Statistics from the 15th-day enrollment report for autumn quarter 2002 indicate that minority recruitment is increasing steadily at The Ohio State University.

For the second-consecutive year, enrollment increased statewide among African Americans (3,941; 4.3 percent increase from 3,780), Hispanic Americans (1,034; 6.7 percent increase from 969) and Native Americans (233; 3.6 percent increase from 225). Asian Americans (2,652; 3.3 percent increase from 2,568) marked their highest enrollment since 1999.

On the Columbus campus, the 5,888-member freshman class is touted as the most diverse at 18 percent. The class also shares the distinction as one of the university’s best academically prepared in matching last year’s record ACT average of 25.2.

Dr. Mac Stewart, vice provost for Minority Affairs, says a university effort to foster a welcoming environment and Ohio State’s Diversity Action Plan, adopted in September 2000, are among the reasons for the increased enrollment.

“Ohio State is a large university offering many opportunities,” Stewart said. “We have found that the key to attracting minority students is to create learning and living environments that are not only academically stimulating but welcoming to cultural differences.”

Retention efforts showed progress as well.

First-year retention rates increased 2 percent to an all-time high of 86.5 percent in 2001, marking the continuation of an upward trend that began in 1995. Additionally, second-year retention rates increased from 75.8 to 79 percent as well as for the third year, rising from 66 to 70.8 percent.

Martha Garland, vice provost and dean for undergraduate studies, said retention is another key focus of the university.

“Our success in part is credited to the academic quality of students attending Ohio State and also to specific programming in the colleges and departments, in student affairs, and through the First Year Experience program, all of which are increasingly striving to personalize the student experience,” Garland said. “We make graduation the goal of every Ohio State student.”

Graduate and professional students also enrolled in larger numbers.

A record number of women (1,604) pursuing careers in dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine led to overall professional school enrollment surpassing 3,000 for the first time. Graduate school enrollment reached 10,218 with international students attending at a record 2,772.

Total enrollment on the Columbus campus rose to 49,676, representing a 2.5 percent increase from the previous year of 48,477. Regional campuses, paced by a 10.4 percent increase at Marion, elevate overall enrollment 2.8 percent to 57,271. The figure was 55,737 in 2001.

Autumn 2002 Enrollment Summary

Columbus Campus
Undergraduate, graduate and professional students: 49,676 (2.5 percent increase from 2001)
• Undergraduate students: 36,855 (2.2 percent increase from 2001)
• Graduate students: 9,761 (3.3 percent increase from 2001)
• Professional students: 3,060 (2.8 percent increase from 2001)

Regional Campuses (undergraduate and graduate)
• Ohio State Lima: 1,412 (4.1 percent increase from 2001)
• Ohio State Mansfield: 1,513 (1.2 percent increase from 2001)
• Ohio State Marion: 1,534 (10.4 percent increase from 2001)
• Ohio State Newark: 2,229 (7.2 percent increase from 2001)
• ATI at Wooster: 907 (3.5 percent decrease from 2001)

Ohio State Statewide
Undergraduate, graduate and professional students: 57,271 (2.8 percent increase from 2001)
• Undergraduate students: 43,993 (2.8 percent increase from 2001)
• Graduate students: 10,218 (2.7 percent increase from 2001)
• Professional students: 3,060 (2.8 percent increase from 2001)