UNR enrolling record numbers

RENO - Prospective University of Nevada, Reno freshmen, sophomores and juniors - as well as graduate students - are registering for the Fall 2001 semester at rates 8 to 20 percent ahead of last year's record enrollment.

"We are ready for the challenge in preparing for a record number of students for the next chapter in their lives by shifting resources to meet the needs of our student body," said university President John Lilley. "This unprecedented growth speaks not only to the educational opportunity the Millennium Scholarship affords, but the quality and quantity of the graduate students we are attracting."

The 2001-2002 academic year opens Aug. 27.

"Current registration trends reflect increased enrollment in our freshman-through junior class levels," said Shannon Ellis, university vice president for student services. "We will have record totals in these student classifications."

In fall 2000, Nevada enrolled 3,030 freshmen, 2,026 sophomores and 1,821 juniors.

"We are pleased to see the increase in graduate enrollment on campus," said Linda Brinkley, vice president for research and dean of the university's Graduate School. "These numbers are a reflection of the quality of research at Nevada, and speak to the excellence of our faculty and student body."

Nevada's graduate enrollment last fall totaled 2,807 students.

Many of this year's sophomores were Millennium Scholars last fall. Of the 1,990 first-time freshmen enrolled for fall 2000 semester, some 1,408 were Nevada's inaugural Millennium Scholars. The university anticipates that of its 2,000-plus first-time freshmen, this year, at least 1,500 will be Class of 2001 Millennium Scholars.

Nevada's continued enrollment growth, which rose to a record 13,149 students for the 2000-2001 academic year, is partially the result of the implementation and enhancement of stronger retention programs for freshmen, Ellis said.

The inaugural Millennium Scholars comprised the Class of 2000 state high school graduates who achieved at least 3.0 grade-point averages, passed the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam and held state residency for at least two years of high school. These students are eligible to receive yearly awards of up to $80 for each enrolled credit hour.