A few months ago, University of Idaho officials expressed concerns about the effect COVID-19 could have on enrollment. Now, it seems the impact may not be as bad as they worried.
Despite the abrupt transition to online classes in spring, the rate of withdrawals remained nearly the same as the semester before. Out of 10,210 spring semester students counted by a census, only 261 students withdrew. In fall 2019, 264 students withdrew.
This consistency in numbers could be partially attributed to help from things like pass/fail classes and professors showing flexibility.
Evaluating the impact of the pandemic on upcoming semesters is a greater challenge, according to UI Director of Communications Jodi Walker.
The university has been behind on enrollment compared to the 2018-19 school year, with fewer students enrolling throughout the summer.
“This is not surprising given the challenges with (COVID-19),” Walker said. “However, we are closing the gap each week.”
With time still to go, it is uncertain how many students will end up enrolling this fall. Fall 2019 saw a slight increase in enrollment numbers, which the university still wants to pursue. However, there are many factors to consider when enrolling.
“We are hearing that students are late in considering college and concerned about what the fall curriculum format will look like, if they will have funding for college, and several other (COVID-19 -related) topics,” Walker said.
The pandemic has pushed back and altered traditional events used to appeal to prospective students, such as UIdaho Bound.
Normally held in the spring to introduce high school seniors to the campus, the event took place this June and July instead. 141 students registered for the June session and roughly 250 participated in July.
Last fall, 1,475 first-year freshmen enrolled at UI. The university is hoping to meet this number again. This year’s final fall enrollment numbers will not be known until October, UI External Communications Coordinator Brian Walker said.
“We are working on ways to help the students,” Jodi Walker said, “And assure them that we will be offering the support and curriculum that they want.”
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq