The number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Crookston fall semester 2010 has hit historic high levels, marking a five-year trend of increasing enrollment and a third year of record enrollment.  While these figures are preliminary until the University of Minnesota Board of Regents meets in October, the Crookston campus expects to see an eleven percent increase over last year's record.

According to the preliminary data, the number of degree-seeking students attending the Crookston campus is reported at 1,462 for fall semester 2010.  That number bests last year's all-time record of 1,310 undergraduates and signifies an increase of 11.6% over fall 2009.  Total enrollment for the Crookston campus including all degree-seeking and non-degree students reflects an increase of 10.9 percent, from 2,279 last year to 2,528 this year. Non-degree students include those taking part in programs such as College in the High School, Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, and English as a Second Language.

Not surprisingly, the increased number of enrolled students resulted from an increase in applications.  Amber Evans-Dailey, director of admissions and enrollment management at the Crookston campus, reported applications for admission for fall 2010 were also at a record high, up nearly four percent from last year.  "Our admissions staff along with our faculty, staff, and coaches are dedicated to helping students find the right major and the right fit with the U of M, Crookston.  We've found that visits by students to campus essentially seal the deal, and our conversion rate from admission to enrollment is extremely high among those who've visited the campus.  Our marketing theme, 'Small Campus. Big Degree.' seems to resonate with prospective students, and when they see how welcoming everyone here is, these students and their families immediately feel at home."

The number of new online-only students--110 this fall--is up, bringing the total of online-only students to 353, and online credit hours have increased by 25 percent for fall semester 2010 compared to fall 2009.  The Crookston campus now offers seven degree programs entirely online, adding programs in accounting and marketing this past year.

Student housing on campus is also at record levels.  According to the Office of Residential Life, 600 students currently live in campus residence halls and apartments, and eight students have been assigned overflow housing at the Northland Inn, located less than half a mile south of the campus in Crookston.  The high demand for student housing on campus was accommodated last year with the construction of Evergreen Hall, a new 128-bed apartment-style residence hall.  As that structure enters its second year, it is at maximum capacity, as are the three other campus residence halls. 

This semester the Crookston campus launched a new bachelor's degree program in environmental sciences.  The program prepares students for a broad range of careers including environmental protection specialists, water quality managers, aquatic scientists, forest carbon specialists, ecotoxicologists, and environmental health and safety specialists, among others, and it also prepares students for graduate-level studies.

The U of M, Crookston received "Best College" designations from both U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review again this fall.  It was the thirteenth consecutive appearance on the U.S. News list as one of the top four public colleges in the Midwest in its category, and it was the fourth consecutive year of acknowledgement by The Princeton Review.