UW expects to be 'challenged in a way we have not experienced' to grow enrollment

CASPER — The University of Wyoming expects little to no change in the number of undergraduates on campus over the next five years — but not for a lack of trying. In fact, according to Vice Provost of Enrollment Management Kyle Moore, it is because of intense enrollment efforts that the school will be able to hold steady.

During UW’s monthly Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, Moore said the pool of graduating high school students is expected to decrease between 7 and 10%.

“Our ability to recruit is going to be challenged in a way we have not experienced,” said Moore.

However, he does expect to see a 7% growth across all University of Wyoming spaces, including the Casper campus and online students, in this time frame. More than half of this growth is expected to come from an increase in part-time students.

It is important to note that the university, despite being the only four-year institution in the state, enrolls just over 10,000 students. In fall 2024, the number of enrolled students was 10,808

— which is 1.2% less than the previous fall, according to the enrollment report given to the board in September.

Of course, these are just predictions, and Moore compared enrollment forecasts to that of a financial forecast. He also explained to the board that the university has had increasing trouble with moving students from the “accepted” category to the “enrolled” category, meaning even though students are getting into the college, they aren’t committing to it.

To address that disconnect, Moore and the board discussed multiple ideas — including a push for faculty to become more involved, potentially even with an incentive for student-engaged professors.

That idea did not sit well with the Faculty Senate.

Ray Fertig, chairman of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, said he did not see how the board could jump to the conclusion that faculty involvement must be increased when price was the biggest hold-up in the enrollment funnel.

“What would you like faculty to not do in order to be able to do that?” Fertig questioned.

In his presentation, Moore explained that the university is working to provide a faster delivery of the real cost of attendance to potential students. He said it is also showcasing the new residence halls, implementing hands-on advising and enhancing a personalized outreach from academic departments.

This story was published on November 26, 2024.