University of Missouri projects drop in freshman enrollment

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Officials at the University of Missouri said their newest freshman class likely is the smallest in 10 years.

Preliminary numbers from the school show there are 4,799 freshmen this year, which is about 1,400 fewer than last year.

About 2,600 fewer students overall are expected to attend classes at the university this fall compared to last year.

Preliminary figures show a total enrollment of 32,777.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported the reduced enrollment has led to large budget cuts and hiring freezes, and officials caution the smaller class sizes could be the new normal at the university.

This year's reduced enrollment might cost the university $36 million in lost tuition.

Interim chancellor Hank Foley and other university officials said several factors explain the enrollment drop, including changing demographics and more competition in recruiting high school students.

They also said leadership turmoil and student protests over issues of race last semester may have contributed to the problem.

Roommates Sean Lirot of Chicago and Scott Brainard of Kansas City, Kansas, said their decisions to attend the school were not affected by the protests on campus last year that resulted in the resignation of University of Missouri System president Tim Wolfe.

Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin resigned the same day amid faculty dissatisfaction with his performance and protests by graduate-student assistants seeking better pay and benefits.

Brainard said he already had made his decision about a university, and nothing he heard or read changed his mind.

"I thought it had a good business school," Lirot said of MU.