University reports record spring enrollment to Regents

Texas State University-San Marcos has reported a record spring enrollment of 27,509 students, an increase of 3.9 percent over the 2008 spring semester.

University officials reported the admissions data to the Texas State University System Board of Regents during that group’s regular meeting held Thursday and Friday (Feb. 19 and 20) in Austin.

The enrollment report also showed gains in the number of minority students enrolled at Texas State. Hispanic students now comprise 23 percent of the Texas State student body, up from 22 percent in Spring 2008. African American students make up 6 percent of total enrollment, compared to 5 percent last spring. Anglo students make up 68 percent of enrollment, down from 70 percent in 2008.

Texas State’s Round Rock campus now enrolls 1,616 students, with 676 of those students co-enrolled in classes both in Round Rock and on the San Marcos main campus. Enrollment at Round Rock is up 7.4 percent from a year ago.

Graduate student enrollment in Texas State master’s degree and doctoral programs increased 8.9 percent from Spring 2008 to Spring 2009. The university also reported its highest-ever fall to spring freshman retention rate. The 2007 rate was 78 percent.

"The primary reasons for the increase in our spring enrollment were the record freshman and transfer classes that enrolled last fall and an increase in the retention rate," said Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management and marketing.

In other action, the Board voted to change the name of Texas State’s Department of Technology to the Department of Engineering Technology.

The name change reflects changes in the state of instructional programs offered by the department, especially since the advent of the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State. The department has revamped its traditional programs in engineering technology to provide students new, contemporary concentrations in manufacturing engineering technology, construction engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, environmental engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology and concrete industry management.

University officials contend that the name change better reflects the changing mission and broadening scope of the department and reflects the rigor and depth of the science and engineering orientation of the department.

The eight component institutions of the Texas State University System are governed by a nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. In addition, a nonvoting student regent is appointed annually to the Board. The administration, which is headed by a board-appointed chancellor, is based in Austin where it provides support to the system components and state government.