Both Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College saw some declines in enrollment numbers following the release of the Kansas Board of Regents’ 20-day enrollment report Thursday.
For ESU the decline was relatively minor with a dip of less than 1 percent — 49 students — from the fall 2019 semester. Positive news overshadowed that decline as the university once again touted a record-setting student retention rate of 77.6 percent up almost a full point from last year.
ESU President Allison Garrett credited both students and staff for this accomplishment and says as it pertains to boosting enrollment numbers, the university has a number of different approaches currently in the works.
The decline in enrollment was more significant for FHTC with a 16 percent drop in full-time enrollment. Vice-President for Student Affairs Lisa Kirmer attributes the decline to both a drop in high school students participating in dual credit courses as well as many students choosing not to return due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic’s impact on in-person education in the future.
Thankfully, Kirmer says the enrollment drop will likely not have a major financial impact on the college. She explains while a decrease in student enrollment is unfortunate, it ultimately means less expenses for the college.
Both FHTC and ESU are currently offering in-person classes. FHTC will continue this course of action for as long as current health metrics will allow it.
ESU will continue in-person instruction until its Thanksgiving break after which time students will move to online education for the remainder of the 2020 fall semester.
For more information on ESU or FHTC visit their websites at Emporia.edu and FHTC.edu.
