Where have all the students gone?FAMU's prelimenary fall enrollment of 11,000 students, as reported in today's Tallahassee Democrat represents an 1,176 student drop from last falls numbers. Last fall FAMU's student enrollment tumbled some 900 students from the previous year.
The low enrollment is particularly troublesome because nationwide the number of high-school graduates continue to rise (in total numbers) and many U.S. colleges are seeing an increase in the number of applicants and are becoming more selective. In Florida, the increased number of high school graduates has created a capacity problem at state universities, so much so, that the Board of Governors hopes to ease the problem by allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees.
Overcapacity doesn't seem to be the case at FAMU where in recent years our enrollment has continued to decline.
Kelle Edmonds, Assistant Director, Public Affairs at the American Council on Education, shares that "between 2000-2012 the number of high school graduates is expected to increase by 11%." It's not just the sheer number of applicants that are making schools competitive, but admissions officers are seeing a large numbers of highly qualified students.
Considering that FAMU's state funding is based on student enrollment, the declining student headcount could have major budget implications.
See: Enrollment crisis maybe linked to recruitment failures
FAMU losing 400-500 students each semester
Shrinking enrollment a major concern
Black Enterprise's ranking of FAMU as the number 1 school for black Americans is inconsistent with reports that enrollment is decreasing at FAMU. Did BE miss something?
ReplyDeleteNo, the BE report is based on a 2003-04 decision.
ReplyDeleteBE wasn't inconsistent, nor missed anything ...
ReplyDeleteThey know that FAMU still IS the Best School for AA's - REGARDLESS of where our enrollment is!
So ... "QUITCHA B****IN!"
RE: 12:57 PM
ReplyDeleteYou are missing the point here. The prevoius writer was referring to the data used for the BE decision is based on 2003-04 enrollment figures. Most people believe they attend the best school. However, the numbers give another picture.
“BE wasn't inconsistent, nor missed anything ...
ReplyDeleteThey know that FAMU still IS the Best School for AA's - REGARDLESS of where our enrollment is! So ... "QUITCHA B****IN!"
8/30/2006 12:57 PM”
Did you know enrollment was a primary factor in BE’s ranking. If the rate of graduation had been a primary factor, then Howard University would have been picked number 1.
BE’s basis for choosing number 1 raises questions about what is the preferred basis. I would put more weight on graduation rate and quality of programs than enrollment. However, if FAMU’s enrollment continues to decrease, but it graduation rate increases BE can change the basis so FAMU can win again. Something smells at BE!
According to BE, the award is for 2006. So, FAMU was awarded in 2006 for being the Best School in 2003-2004. What good is it to know that we were the BEST School in 2003-2004? Potential students want know how BE ranks FAMU in 2006. FAMU is now asking rejected students to apply in order to increase its enrollment. How can this be a measure of the Best?
B****IN for the facts.
Re:
ReplyDeleteSo, FAMU was awarded in 2006 for being the Best School in 2003-2004. What good is it to know that we were the BEST School in 2003-2004? Potential students want know how BE ranks FAMU in 2006.
... And potential athletes also could give less than a flick about the fact that FAMU won the FIRST I-AA Championship ... Before even their parents were in high school too! ... But some of you still seem to be stuck in the past on that bit of trivia nonsense too!
I am becoming slowly convinced more & more each day that some of you so-called FAMUans just seem to WANT to be "Stuck In B**** Gear!" People can't even give you guys a simple compliment, or an award based on some sheer measure of conjecture - without you all trying to find fault with it!
If you all feel so unnerved & inferior by the findings ... Why don't you all just start another online petition ... And request that the School just give the s*** BACK?
“People can't even give you guys a simple compliment, or an award based on some sheer measure of conjecture - without you all trying to find fault with it!”
ReplyDeleteOK. I agree. My point is that the “sheer measure of conjecture” should be based current data, not based on two years old data. However, BE says its ranking is the result of a poll of high education officials, not on a “sheer measure of conjec
You all act as though BE had 2005 info on everybody ...
ReplyDeleteHas anyone stopped to think that that's probably the last year that BE was able to gather enough comparable info on ALL of the HBCU's & PWC's in the study to even form this kind of opinion?
Quit trying to always find fault with shtuff all the time ... And milk this Award for everything you can get from it!!
#1 School for Black Americans (or AA's)?
ReplyDeleteBlacks can go to school anywhere now. Is FAMU a better school for black americans than FSU, UF, MIAMI, DUKE, HARVARD, BROWN, YALE?
I don't think so.
FAMU is a good school. Its probably better than all the other HBCUs.
So what does that make it? Cream of the crap?
FAMU needs to find a different peer group. So we're better than the black college down the road... so what? Let's See if we can be better than our closest neighbor - then we would have something to brag about.
Some of you black folk would complain if you got hung with a new rope. Most of you that are saying these negative thing about your beloved Univeristy still have that slavery time mentality. You kind of remind me of the student that make an A in class you stand around in a group of other like yourself and degrade that person I say again to you so call FAMUans we are our own worst enemy You are like a bunch of crabs the Univeristy was awarded the best for AA you can't stand it so you do are say any thing to tear it down.
ReplyDeleteBest EXPERIENCE.
ReplyDelete11:03am I'm guessing that you'd choose a white neighborhood too? Even AA's have he RIGHT to assemble. That includes off the courts and playing fields of the arenas your friends have turned into an industry. One with several media outlets and events which poeple now treat like holidays. This is a sign of an imperialistic trend. The cotton fields were JUST turned into an integrated industry job market. Bush is bringin' Elitism back, while our youth is letting that little wannabe parade them off to bring Sexy back. (lala land) Just look, people treat animals better than our own children( You remember the "Royal Pet", don't you?) Fact is, some of our youth don't even know what some of the occupations are that our youth aspired to be just ten years ago. DO NOT ALLOW BET INTO YOUR FAMILY'S LIVES! NOT in my house. Demand TVOne from your television media provider. Books won't hurt them either. The allergic reaction some may fear is probably,likely just dust. Maybe that way, well have an informed people and an increase unseen in AA writers. Do NOT pass up the opportunity and obligation to enhance their lives and teach them something. I'm grown, yet appreciate it when an elder takes time(however legnthy it can be sometimes) to give a little wisdom or background. I usually leave, thankful for the human exchange that took place. Our youth are under the influence that the only type of intimacy is sexual. If the random, day to day exchanges with others were meaningful and nuturing, the odds are that most won't go running for what seems to be the only thing out there that understands them-sex. They are looking for intimacy ramdomly, they just need to be told that it is not to be mistaken for sexual feelings. Do you know how hard it is for them to understand that it doesn't hurt to speak to people you see daily in class. CULTURAL VALUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. I apologize, I'm getting off my box.
ReplyDelete