FAMU has been using enrollment increases to offset budgetary losses resulting from legislative cuts.“Improving the economic outlook will require a legislative commitment to ensure proper funding of higher education,” said the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section in FAMU’s recent financial audit. “The growth in enrollment will play a key role in continuous financial stability for [FAMU].”
The section highlighted the fact that FAMU has achieved its highest-ever fall headcount number.
“Currently, University enrollment has shown an upward turn with a high quality student enrollment,” the section said. “Enrollment reached approximately 12,261 students for the Fall 2009. Preliminary headcount for Fall 2010 is 13,284, which is the highest enrollment reported in the history of the University.”
According to FAMU, the university must continue seeking new sources of revenue in order to remain on solid financial ground.
“The future outlook for increases in State support still remains grim due to the economic conditions of the State,” the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section said. “To provide quality education, the University must look for other sources of revenues such as student fees, auxiliary operations, research grants and fundraising. Also, the University must continue to minimize operating costs and insure an efficient use of scarce resources.”
President James H. Ammons aims to increase FAMU’s enrollment to at least 15,000 in the near future. As Rattler Nation reported back in December, the university is already on track to hit the 14,000 student mark as early as summer 2011.
A recent article in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel stated that Florida International University is also planning a dramatic enrollment boost to help pump new revenue into the institution. The FIU Board of Trustees has approved a plan to add 20,000 new students over a period of 10 years. FIU currently has 42,287 students.
“This is about keeping our doors open,” FIU President Mark Rosenberg told the Sun-Sentinel.