UNC Charlotte will enroll the largest freshmen class in its history this fall. For the upcoming 2012-13 academic year, some 631 more students accepted admission offers than the University had initially expected.
Currently, 3,801 freshmen have committed to attend UNC Charlotte this fall, or 16 percent more than the 3,170 freshmen the University had planned to enroll. Despite the challenges it presents, University officials consider it a good problem, because it reflects an increased interest in UNC Charlotte.
Tina McEntire, associate provost for enrollment management, said the enrollment growth comes at a time when budgets are tight, and UNC Charlotte has limited resources to add staff or expand services. The University’s state funding was cut by $33 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
According to Provost Joan Lorden, the school will need to shuffle funds and delay some construction projects to accommodate the influx of freshmen. She estimated it will cost $1.3 million during the next two years to add capacity in roughly 40 classes such as English composition and entry-level math.
Housing also will be an issue. Typically, as much as 77 percent of the freshman class lives on campus. So far this year, freshman housing applications exceed those of previous years by more than 325. To accommodate that demand, the University will increase the number of students assigned to double rooms. It also has delayed demolition of Hunt Village, where a new residence hall is planned.
The Housing and Residence Life Office is in the midst of a $450 million master plan to replace, renovate and add to housing on campus.
University officials attribute the growth in enrollment to various factors, including new buildings and educational programs. The University has ramped up out-of-state recruitment, and applications from students in other states have soared 46 percent this year. UNC Charlotte also has changed the way it awards student aid, giving more money to students with the greatest need.
McEntire said the University’s football team, scheduled to begin play in fall 2013, has raised the school’s profile, too. Several years of extensive external communication through alumni outreach, broadcasting, community affairs, marketing, media relations and social media that grew out of the Stake Your Claim branding position also were factors cited by University leaders.
In addition, some other UNC System schools — including UNC Chapel Hill and N.C. State — have turned away a higher number of applicants due to budgetary constraints.
Lorden said the goal for future admissions will be to have more controlled growth. She said UNC Charlotte will invoke changes in its admissions process before next year to avoid another significant increase.