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October 24, 2002
UCI enrollment makes historic gains
By Deirdre Newman, Daily
Pilot
UC IRVINE — The university's increasing popularity has led to the
largest enrollment increase in its history.
UC Irvine officials attribute this fall's 8.7% increase — about 1,900
students — to a top-down effect, starting with an increase in graduate
students — up 11.7% over the previous year.
"I think it's success building on success," said Manuel Gomez, vice
chancellor of undergraduate affairs. "We have outstanding faculty recruits
that have established now-nationally recognized academic programs, which
have recruited a lot of graduate students, and that in turn leads to the
campus being a first choice for everyone."
William Parker, dean of graduate studies, attributes graduate
enrollment increases to an aggressive recruiting program by various
academic units, increased financial support for students and new and
expanded programs such as biomedical, electrical and computer engineering.
The sputtering economy also spurred more people to consider graduate
school because of the lack of jobs, Parker said.
The Graduate School of Management was one of the only divisions that
did not experience any increase in enrollment, Parker added.
Undergraduate enrollment actually saw a higher jump last year — 9.1%,
compared to an 8.6% increase this fall. But the number of transfers
remains high — an 8% increase from surrounding community colleges, Gomez
said
"In a sense, UCI is blessed because we're surrounded by some really
strong community colleges that have a vigorous transfer focus," Gomez
said.
Gomez said the campus is building as fast as it can to keep up with the
feverish pace of student enrollment, now just shy of 24,000.
"We want to continue growing as long as we're able to sustain and
enhance the overall quality of educational experience," Gomez said. "We
won't jeopardize that." |
