SOUTHEAST ENROLLMENT UP SLIGHTLY

Southeast Missouri State University has nearly 9,000 students enrolled for the fall semester, a benchmark the school hasn't hit in 15 years.

Final fall enrollment stands at 8,951, up about 1 percent from a year ago and up 900 students since the first day of classes. The numbers include students enrolled in Southeast courses at outlying education centers.

"Today's numbers are very positive for Southeast," said Dr. Pauline Fox, vice president for administration and enrollment management.

University officials said last month they expected enrollment to climb after school began and the final deadline approached.

Southeast has 1,542 beginning freshmen, up 2.2 percent from last fall, and has 831 returning freshmen, up 10.8 percent.

The sophomore headcount rose 10.3 percent to 1,546. The number of juniors climbed 2.7 percent to 1,432.

Southeast has 1,770 seniors, down 2.8 percent from a year ago. School officials said the smaller senior class reflects the record low number of freshmen who entered Southeast in 1997.

Southeast has fewer graduate students. The university has 1,191 graduate students, down 14.3 percent from fall 1999.

University officials said the drop reflects fewer part-time students who are taking graduate courses but aren't seeking graduate degrees.