Boise State University Sets State Record With 18,599 Students Enrolled For Fall 2005 Semester

Bolstered by a growing number of minority students and an academically impressive freshman class, Boise State University set an all-time state enrollment record, officials reported this week.

The fall 2005 headcount of 18,599 students is an increase of 181 students from the previous fall, a 1 percent increase. The number of credit hours students are taking is up as well, leading to a 1.5 percent increase in full-time equivalent students.

Boise State’s fall enrollment also reflects a continuing trend toward a more culturally diverse campus. The number of minority students increased 4.8 percent. Fourteen percent of the freshman class describe themselves as students of color. In addition, for the first time, the number of Hispanic students at Boise State surpassed the 1,000 mark with 1,056 enrolled.

Since 1997 the university’s student body has grown from 15,422 to the current 18,599, an increase of 20.6 percent. Over that same span Boise State has been raising its admissions standards — now the highest among Idaho’s public institutions — to manage growth.

According to President Bob Kustra, the number of students attending Boise State continues to grow, but within the university’s plan to do so at a manageable pace. “Boise State’s enhanced reputation as a high-quality institution of higher learning has attracted yet another record numbers of students,” he said, “but to provide those students with a quality learning experience, it is imperative that we continue to proceed with manageable growth that reflects our institutional resources.”

Mark Wheeler, interim vice president for student affairs, noted that Boise State’s incoming freshman class of 2,262 is particularly impressive. “Not only is it our largest and most diverse freshman class ever,” he said, “but with five National Merit Scholars, above-national-average ACT scores, and an average high school GPA of 3.34, this is an academically talented group as well.”

Added Kustra: “The accomplishments of our faculty, our students and our staff are all clear signals that Boise State stands for academic quality, which makes it easier to recruit highly qualified and motivated students.”

Contact: Mark Wheeler, interim Vice President for Student Affairs (208) 426-2384, mwheeler@boisestate.edu

Media Contact: Frank Zang, Communications and Marketing, (208) 426-5391, frankzang@boisestate.edu