Leaders say demonstrable improvement in the number of underrepresented students enrolling at the university is a sign university programs targeting them are succeeding.
Ten-day enrollment numbers for 2015, released earlier in the week, showed a 5.4 increase in African-American students and an 11.5 percent increase in Latino students at the three campuses.
Of the 7,565 freshmen enrolled on the Urbana campus this fall, nearly 1,800 are from underrepresented groups, a 2.4 increase over last year.
At the Sept. 10 U. of I. Board of Trustees meeting in Urbana, Christophe Pierre, vice president for academic affairs, said the numbers are “a sign of a turnaround” and the result of several university initiatives to bolster minority enrollment.
“Our strategies have been proactive and targeted,” he said. “We will follow the same strategies vigorously in the next few years.”
Among those strategies is increased financial aid totaling $83 million last year, a tuition freeze instituted by the board, as well as partnerships with community colleges to identify and assist well-performing students – and then point them toward the U. of I.
“This trend is going in the right direction,” said Trustee Ricardo Estrada.
“But we have to continue that process,” added Edward L. McMillan, board chair.
President Timothy L. Killeen said goals and metrics for further improving underrepresented student rates would be a part of the university’s Strategic Plan, which is expected to be completed by next spring with input from all areas of campus.
“We can breathe a little easier today knowing we’re going in the right direction,” Killeen said. “We’re nowhere near where we need to be, but we are committed to going down the path. I want to ensure the board that we’re not done.”
McMillan said he also would like to see more emphasis placed on helping students from rural areas become more prepared to succeed at the U. of I.
Interim Chancellor Barbara J. Wilson said she also is pleased with the number of in-state students in this year’s freshman class. She said about 73 percent of the class resides in Illinois, with about 20 percent of them being the first in their families to attend college.
“This recruitment success does not come by accident,” she said, noting that attracting underrepresented students also has been a priority in her role as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Other stories from the Sept. 10 U. of I. Board of Trustees meeting:
• Employees will be paid despite state budget impasse
• U. of I. Sesquicentennial celebration starting to take shape
• Board OKs background checks, gender reassignment surgery, Urbana construction
This article was imported from a previous version of the News Bureau website. Please email news@illinois.edu to report missing photos and/or photo credits.
