Spring classes start with diminished enrollment

Trend of spring enrollment looks to continue

CU’s enrollment for spring semester falls every year along with the number of enrolled students as the mid-year graduates outpace continuing freshmen.

“It’s a trend you are going to see at any college across the country,” said Blake Redabaugh, a researcher for CU’s Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis.

The data for Spring 2008 will be released in the first week of February, but the trend of a lower spring enrollment is expected to continue. According to the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis website , there was a total of 29,395 students enrolled in Fall 2006 and 27,203 in Spring 2007.

That is a drop of 2,192 students. Several factors influence the drop in attendance.

“Incoming freshmen is the biggest factor,” Redabaugh said.

There are more students who start class in the fall term than in the spring term, mainly because of entering freshmen. Since most students start in fall, there are not enough new students in spring to equalize the number of students who graduate halfway through the year.

Another factor is the number of special programs that occur off campus only during the spring semester. “Study abroad is more (common) in the spring than the fall, and internships are as well,” Redabaugh said.

One of the best places to see a drop in attendance is in the dorms.

“I have 5 open spaces right now,” said Justine Smith, a sophomore anthropology major and resident advisor of Cockerell Hall.

Open spaces are not likely to last long in the dorms, especially on main campus.

“In my experience, most of the rooms on main campus get filled up really fast with kids from Williams Village,” Smith said.

Spring semester not only impacts enrollment, but the moods of students as well.

“I generally feel less motivated and excited because of the weather,” said Kaitlyn Pulhamus, 20, a junior history and Spanish major.

While some feel less motivated for the upcoming months, others thrive on the early year weather.

“In fall I am able to focus more, but spring is all around pleasant,” said Maia Mc Pherson, 22, a senior anthropology major.

Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Cameron Naish at cameron.naish@thecampuspress.com