MSU enrollment is on the ups, which overall is a good thing. But, because of the hidden factors behind the continuous rising figures, there are concerns that the school might be on a road to elitism - not being accessible to the average Michiganian.

Preliminary enrollment numbers for the 2002-03 school year were released Friday. Enrollment is expected to exceed 44,900 - about 700 more students than the 44,227 enrolled during 2001.

This latest jump in enrollment proves MSU has become an institution that more and more students are drawn to each year.

There are 6,885 first-time undergraduate students on campus - an increase of more than 100 from last year.

With so many more students becoming interested in attending MSU than previous year, there is a danger in MSU becoming exclusive.

First-time undergraduate students sent in a record of more than 25,000 applications for this school year.

Add to that the number of graduating students fearing the unstable economy and hoping to boost their job-market potential by entering graduate programs, and there is a potentially harmful situation.

MSU might soon be forced to turn away many more students than it admits.

This could change the university’s image of being an inclusive institution where the average student can receive an education - a guiding philosophy for land-grant institutions.

While there is nothing wrong with the current increase in enrollment, as the enrollment influx is leading to improvements in academic standards and excellence, the possibility of elitism should stand in the back of university officials minds.

But there’s more good news - enrollment also is up across the board in MSU’s programs. At 5,845, The Eli Broad College of Business has the largest enrollment. The College of Social Science had the greatest influx of students, adding 340.

It also is estimated the Honors College will set a new enrollment record with 2,390. The college’s last high came in 1971, when there were 2,374 students enrolled.

And graduate student numbers have increased 5 percent compared to last year, with a total of 8,375.

MSU’s praises are sung beyond the borders of the state, as well - out-of-state enrollment increased to 15.5 percent of the student body, up from last year’s 15.3 percent.

There is more cause to celebrate. MSU also is becoming more diverse. About 16.4 percent of its total student body are minorities, about 220 more than last year.

It is now evident a great number of students from all walks of life consider MSU to be an outstanding, welcoming and thriving university to further their education - and their numbers seem to be escalating in leaps and bounds each year. More are attracted to all this university has to offer.

MSU should be accessible to all students. The school was founded on the promise that all Michigan students should be able to have the opportunity to attend.

If keeping the size of the student body stable compromises that goal and forces some students away, it goes against what MSU stands for. No one should want that.