Classes start this week at the University of Missouri.
Preliminary figures show that freshman enrollment is down 1400 compared to last year.
MU spokesperson Christian Basi said that officials expected the lower enrollment due to fewer high school graduates, increased competition from schools in the SEC and the campus unrest that led to protests and administrative resignations. About 4800 freshmen are enrolled this fall at the Columbia campus.
MU points to some successes including the third-highest retention rate in its history and the highest ACT scores of any freshman class in the university’s history. Basi said that is an indication that students wish to return to MU.
“They feel as if the university will provide them with the skills, the resources and the tools so that they can be successful when they graduate and search for their first jobs,” he said.
Basi said that leadership is also asking faculty, staff and students to renew their commitment to values of respect, responsibility and excellence by taking a pledge, called the Mizzou Pride Pledge, which is available online. Basi says that committing to those values is “critical to [the Mizzou] community” and crucial to making sure everyone feels “welcomed and valued.”
