OLD DOMINION REACHES NEW ENROLLMENT RECORD
When fall classes start Aug. 25 at Old Dominion University, about 3,500 new students will join some 15,500 returning students to set a new enrollment record that will exceed 19,000 students.
These new students hail from some 35 states and 70 nations.
The number of first-time freshmen � more than 1,550 � is a 6.7 percent increase over last year's enrollment of 1,455. These students have an average high school grade point average of 3.2 and rank in the top third of their graduating class.
The number of transfer students (1,900) also is up by 3.2 percent over last year. This figure likely will increase when all late applications and registrations are processed. Registrations for online and distance learning courses, as well as some at the higher education centers, are still being processed. Exact enrollment figures will be available at the end of August, after the first week of classes.
Despite more rigorous admission standards, Old Dominion saw a 3.2 percent increase in the number of applicants (13,136) for the 2001-02 school year. Of those, 69 percent (9,037) were accepted.
The high numbers also mean an increase in the need for student housing. With demand exceeding space, the university will lease additional rooms, to be used as doubles for about 40 students, at an area hotel. Old Dominion will provide hourly shuttle bus service to and from campus from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. In addition, a shuttle bus will run from the campus to the hotel and on to MacArthur Center from 6-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
"These numbers are a testament to the institution and the quality of its faculty and both undergraduate and graduate programs," said John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement.
"The university's reputation continues to grow on many fronts � over the past few years we've had a Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Fellow and a USA Today Academic All-American, and our faculty are consistently recognized among the best in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education. We have three nationally ranked academic programs and continue to develop innovative new programs like e-commerce and e-engineering. We also guarantee our undergraduates are guaranteed a degree-related internship through our Career Advantage Program.
"But one of the most important qualities we offer to students is our accessibility through Weekend College, distance learning sites, three higher education centers and our ability to transmit courses to military personnel at sea."