University enrollment up for second year in a row

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- For the second year in a row, the number of students enrolled at the University of Alaska's three main campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau has increased.

As of Wednesday, full-time students at UAA increased more than 7 percent to 11,625, according to Rick Weems, chief enrollment officer.

UAF is showing a nearly 2 percent increase right now, with 5,492 full-time students.

The university's Southeast campus in Juneau currently shows a 13 percent increase to 631, though officials expect that to drop slightly, according to Paul Kraft, dean of students.

The numbers are likely to change somewhat before each campus enrollment closes later this month.

Joe Trubacz, director of planning, analysis and institutional research, said a 5 percent enrollment increase is a good long-term goal.

University officials say the continued rise in enrollment signals a turnaround from the early 1990s when student numbers began to drop. The rise coincides with President Mark Hamilton taking over three years ago and more state funding.

Last year, enrollment at the university's three main campuses rose for the first time since 1994. However, last year's 30,480 systemwide enrollment still falls short of the 33,828 full-time students enrolled in 1992.