Freshman enrollment shows growth signs

by Jim Parsons

After a multiyear slump in UH enrollment, figures for the fall 1996 semester indicate that the numbers are on the upswing.

Susan Zwieg, interim director of Admissions, said the number of freshman applications is up 8.5 percent from this time last year.

Zwieg said Admissions staff has been monitoring the numbers closely. "We can see we're on the upswing again," she said. "The minute the numbers climb, we get excited."

Zwieg said the climbing numbers are a result of changes in the recruitment process. UH has adopted a more traditional model for recruitment, she said, with staff focusing on students in high school and community colleges.

"We started (focusing on high schools) in the fall -- we called it `The Event,' and the goal was to target some of our area high schools," she said.

Today at 6 p.m., UH will be hosting a program at Elkins High School to focus on recruiting from Fort Bend County and Fort Bend ISD. "There is a new school opening (in Fort Bend) nearly every year," she said, "and we need to target those new prospects."

Zwieg said UH's aim is to become involved with the high school counselors in order to publicize the university and its opportunities. She also said that some Admissions staff members are concerned that UH needs to advertise more in the Houston community. "We are hoping for (funds) which will help us do that," she said.

Ed Apodaca, associate vice president for Enrollment Management, had expressed concern with UH's recruitment and retention efforts at this month's Faculty Senate meeting. However, his focus dealt more with out-of-city recruitment.

"We have done a poor job recruiting students from other areas," he said at the meeting. "Eighty-five percent of UH students are Houstonians."

Zwieg said, "(Apodaca) has clearly shown with facts and figures" where the problems and solutions in UH enrollment lie. "He is feeling a bit frustrated, though, because (the necessary changes will) take a couple of years."

Still, said Zwieg, the Fall `96 numbers are encouraging. "It looks like we are doing well, and that is something to be happy a