Ohio University - Zanesville sets another record

By Connie Shriver

This fall, officials at Ohio University - Zanesville had the enviable predicament of having to add more sections of classes and more seats in rooms as more students than ever before are taking advantage of the higher education opportunities available. The Zanesville Campus registered the most growth of all five of Ohio University's regional campuses and is one of the three fastest growing of Ohio's 62 public campuses.

"A lot of factors are responsible for our success, including increased scholarships, the uncertain economy, a larger proportion of local high school graduates going to college, and a shift in the public thinking of our campus as Ohio University, and not simply the branch campus," said Dean James Fonseca. "I also think the numbers indicate our success in serving our community with the kind of academic programs it needs."

The number of students on campus so far this fall is 1,595. This is a new fall quarter record, an increase of 10 percent, or 151 students, in headcount from last fall. Workshops that start continually throughout the academic term will add to that total. When the number of part-time students is translated into full-time equivalent students, that number, 1,255, is also a record, up from last fall by 18 percent, or 190 students.

Overall, the campus enrollment is up 40 percent in four years and 35 percent in just the last three years.

"The evidence continues to indicate our students are taking more credit hours each, which is a good sign," Fonseca continued. "On many days, our classrooms are completely filled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also in the evenings, so we are going to have to look into additional space."

Enrollment in the two-year associate degree program in electronic media is the highest in many years. Nursing enrollment, a major program at the Zanesville campus, is up substantially with applications already for spring admissions; and the number of students in education increased this year in both the early childhood bachelor's degree program and the bachelor's degree in middle childhood education.

Nursing and education students make up about a third of the enrollment. Other large undergraduate programs include communication and business administration. Throughout the year, graduate students will continue to add to enrollment figures with the newest offering, a master's degree in mathematics for teachers, beginning winter quarter.

An overall look at the student body on campus shows that half of the students are under age 22. More than two-thirds of students are female, and more than half of all students are enrolled full-time, for at least 12 credit hours. And while most of these students originate from the seven counties in our surrounding area, more than 35 different counties in Ohio are represented in the student body.

Connie Shriver is the public relations coordinator for Ohio University - Zanesville.