Rogers State University has experienced an overall enrollment increase of three percent on its campuses in Claremore, Bartlesville and Pryor and in its online degree programs.
This fall, 3,884 students are enrolled in classes at RSU, compared to 3,778 students last fall, an increase of 2.8 percent. The number of first-time freshmen at the university also has increased by 2.8 percent.
In addition, more full-time students are enrolled at RSU as indicated by a three percent increase in student credit hours.
The number of students at the new RSU campus in downtown Bartlesville increased by 8.8 percent, including 393 students enrolled in classes on-site and 261 students taking classes online.
Since gaining accreditation as a four-year university in 2000, RSU has recorded enrollment growth of 65 percent in student credit hours, among the highest of any college or university in Oklahoma.
“The continued increase in enrollment at RSU indicates a strong interest in our degree programs and a solid market demand for higher education in northeast Oklahoma,” said RSU President Dr. Joe Wiley.
This fall, significant growth has occurred across much of the institution, most notably in student activities.
Participation in Hill Camp, a student orientation program held during the week prior to the beginning of fall classes, doubled this year, and the number of students attending Welcome Week activities more than quadrupled.
During the past year, RSU added 10 student organizations, including the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, to accommodate its escalating enrollment and growing demand to meet the special interests of its students.
Occupancy in the student apartments on the Claremore campus is 100 percent this fall, compared to 95 percent last year and 85 percent the prior year.
In addition, RSU students are participating in new academic and leadership programs at the university.
This fall, the first cohort of students began participation in the RSU Honors Program, in which participants take honors classes and complete supplemental academic projects, and the President’s Leadership Class, where students serve in a leadership role on campus and participate in community service projects.
During the summer, the first RSU student completed an internship in Washington, D.C., through the Washington Center Internship Program. This fall, two RSU students are serving internships in Washington through the program. RSU is one of only three universities in Oklahoma to offer this prestigious program.
RSU offers 15 bachelor’s degrees and 20 associate’s degrees in a wide variety of disciplines. For more information about RSU programs, call (918) 343-7546 or 1-800-256-7511, or visit www.rsu.edu.