With freshman enrollment for fall 2012 at an all-time high, the university now plans to decrease the number of incoming freshman admitted, at least for the next few years, according to an enrollment report presented at the University Council meeting Tuesday.
The incoming freshman class grew from about 7,700 last year to about 8,100 this year, according to the report.
MSU Provost Kim Wilcox said at the University Council meeting MSU had more success in attracting incoming freshmen than expected.
“We have to make an educated guess on who is likely to come based on prior years,” Wilcox said.
According to the report, the university projects to admit fewer freshmen in the coming years — about 7,700 in 2013, 7,500 in 2014 and 7,300 in 2015 and 2016.
The predicted numbers denote the midpoint of the planning range, plus or minus 200 students.
The current transfer and graduate student numbers are projected to remain about the same, at about 1,500 for transfer students and 1,800 for graduate students, according to the report.
Education freshman Allison Berns said she has not noticed too many students in her classes or on campus.
“(My) biggest class (is about) 200 (students). My classes are pretty decently sized,” Berns said. “That’s to be expected coming to Michigan State; it’s a big school.”
Berns said she does not think decreasing freshman enrollment numbers is a good idea.
“If (students) meet the criteria and they (are seen) as a good fit (for MSU), I don’t see a reason for not allowing them to attend,” Berns said.
Genomics and molecular genetics freshman Devin Carter said he supports a reduction in the amount of freshmen admitted to MSU.
“It’s definitely an extremely large … student body,” Carter said. “The freshman class is adding much more than it needs to be.”
Carter said a decrease in the number of students would allow for more one-on-one attention with faculty.
“It’s hard as it is, (but) when there are too many students, (they) get lost in the system,” Carter said. “It’s a big university already. I feel they should cut down as much they (can).”
Wilcox said a drop in the number of freshmen admitted could have a negative effect on high school juniors and seniors applying to or planning to attend MSU.
“That kind of a drastic change would (affect) a lot of their futures,” Wilcox said. “It would be a shock to a lot of systems external to the university, and internal as well.”
Berns said knowing there is a plan to admit fewer students to the university will not turn away high school students from applying.
“I think if they found out … they are considering admitting fewer freshmen, I think they would start to work harder (and) get their GPA up to look more appealing,” Berns said.
According to the report, MSU received more than 30,300 applications for this fall semester.
Carter said decreasing the number of accepted freshmen will not diminish the number of applications, but the attitude of prospective students might change.
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“It will make them have to try … They will have to put more work in,” Carter said. “If they decrease the amount they are accepting, they will increase the standards.”
