Limestone College enrollment increase streak comes to end

DR. GRIFFIN "Economic conditions played a part. We had some students who just weren't able to put it together financially with loans this year." Limestone College enrollment declined in its day program this fall for the first time in 15 years.

Enrollment dropped from 770 fulltime day students in 2007 to 748 students this year when the "drop and add period" ended Wednesday.

Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin attributed the enrollment decrease to students being impacted by difficult economic conditions and a lower retention rate among returning students.

"Economic conditions played a part," Griffin said. "We had some students who just weren't able to put it together financially with loans this year."

Students will pay $23,700 for tuition, room and board on campus this year.

Griffin said some students chose to spread out their course work by taking Internet courses in 8-week terms.

"This allows students to progress at the same rate as students in the traditional day program," Griffin said.

Limestone College saw a 9 percent increase in its Internet class enrollment for July and August terms.

Figures showed Limestone had 119 additional students take Internet classes in the summer term. Griffin said a similar increase is expected when enrollment figures become available in September for adult evening classes taught through the popular Block program.

While there are fewer day students, Griffin said on-campus housing is completely full with 357 students in residential halls and apartment style housing owned by Limestone.

"We want to continue to increase our enrollment in the day program," said Griffin, who added he would like to see the college eventually have 1,000 to 1,200 full-time day students.

Longtime administrator Dr. Charles Cunning is now serving as a special assistant to the president. Cunning has been appointed to lead an effort by the college to improve student retention rates.