University's Enrollment Continues to Grow

VALDOSTA -- It is another record year for enrollment at Valdosta State University. The fall 2010 student headcount reached 12,898 -- a 4.1 percent increase (504 students) from last year. This increase represents the largest percentage gain among the University System of Georgia’s (USG) research and regional institutions.

The increase in students brings a significant financial impact of more than $16 million to the Valdosta and South Georgia region.

“This is the second year of significant enrollment growth at Valdosta State and it is the direct result of increased recruiting efforts throughout Georgia, especially in Atlanta and North Georgia,” said President Patrick J. Schloss. “Enrollment drives the university’s budget and is the catalyst for growth in other areas including increased revenue for local businesses and hiring new faculty and staff on campus.”

Overall the number of undergraduate students is up 4.5 percent, with 10,794 students enrolled. Graduate student enrollment is up 2.0 percent, with 2,104 students enrolled for fall 2010. This year’s freshmen class of 3,819 students represents an increase of 4.0 percent from fall 2009.

Students this semester represent 154 Georgia counties and 49 states including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C. Lowndes, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties account for the most students within Georgia. The hometown of 52 percent of all undergraduate students is at least a two hour drive from Valdosta. With a strong global presence, VSU welcomed 294 international students, from 76 countries -- an increase of 2.8 percent.

This semester, 421 VSU students are taking classes through the Georgia ONmyLINE (GOML) academic franchise program -- a 12.9 percent increase from last year. Valdosta State continues to lead other USG institutions in the number of students taking GOML courses. These popular online programs offer flexible and convenient alternatives for working professionals to earn a degree.

In addition to GOML programs, VSU offers a variety of online degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Technology, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Public Administration (City Manager Track), Master of Social Work, Education Specialist in Instructional Technology, and a Doctor of Public Administration.

In order to accommodate current and projected enrollment growth, Valdosta State has plans to construct residence halls and instructional facilities. Currently two academic buildings are under construction and scheduled to open 2011. The Jerry and Kay Jennett Hall, a 15,700-square-foot facility with two large auditorium-style classrooms, will allow the university to offer more course seats across all disciplines. The Psychology and Counseling Building will include classrooms, laboratories, clinical space, and administrative offices for the Department of Psychology and Counseling, as well as offices for the Graduate School and Sponsored Programs and Research Administration.

A $4 million addition to the Hugh C. Bailey Science Building is scheduled to begin fall 2011. The 15,000-square-foot addition will provide additional laboratory space and enhance the opportunities for access to timely completion of science courses.

Enrollment at USG’s 35 colleges reached more than 311,000 students this fall -- an increase of 3.2 percent (9,550 students) over the fall 2009 enrollment.

The USG Fall 2010 Enrollment Report is available on the web at http://www.usg.edu/research/students/enroll/fy2011/