By Summer Seschillie
According to UVU?s institutional research Web site, student enrollment for spring 2009 has increased by nine percent since last year.
?We have the largest increase in the state,? Robert Loveridge said. Loveridge is the director of Institutional Research and Information for UVU.
Loveridge said this growth is, by far, way above the national average.
?Students who are in school are deciding to stay longer,? he said.
When asked if the economic recession plays a factor in the enrollment increase, Loveridge said it isn?t the only factor, but it does play a definite role.
?Every time there is an economic downturn, people want to go back to school to improve their competition in the job market,? he said.
Commissioner William Sederberg of the Utah Board of Regents said when he visited UVU recently, he noticed this increase.
?The whole campus was just packed,? he said.
When asked about the measures UVU is taking to prepare for this increase, Sederberg said it is a difficult issue to solve since this increase is occurring in the midst of budget cuts.
?We work with the institutions to manage the growth,? he said. ?We also advocate with the legislature.?
When asked about future decisions of the legislature concerning the enrollment increase and financial cushion needed, Sederberg said, ?There is a point where the institution cannot take on more and more students just because of the money. When next fall rolls around, it will be a really critical time.?