North Dakota State University is on track to hit a record spring enrollment for the ninth year in a row.
On Tuesday, the campus recorded 10,882 students on the first full day of classes, 157 more than a year ago, said Prakash Mathew, vice president for student affairs.
Figures won't be final until 15 days into the semester as students continue to register for classes, Mathew said.
Final enrollment last spring was 11,292, which Mathew said he expects NDSU to exceed. NDSU struggled to get an accurate enrollment figure during fall semester because of problems related to a new administrative software system.
The campus is using a figure of 12,099 students for fall enrollment, but that number is still being reviewed, said Kristi Wold-McCormick, NDSU's registrar.
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Officials continue to find bugs with the new software, but this semester's enrollment figures should be more accurate, she said.
The University of North Dakota saw a slight decrease in enrollment Tuesday, which officials attributed to tougher admission standards implemented last fall.
UND counted 11,643 students Tuesday, 132 students fewer than last year's first-day spring enrollment, a 1.1 percent decrease, said UND spokesman Peter Johnson.
The enrollment figures are not final. Campus officials expected a dip this spring because UND now requires higher grade point averages and ACT scores from incoming freshmen, Johnson said.
"The fact we're only down 1.1 percent (this semester) is a good sign," Johnson said.
UND saw a 2.2 percent decrease in its fall enrollment of 12,954 students, Johnson said. The incoming freshman class has an overall ACT score of 23.4, compared with 22.7 last year.
Minnesota State University Moorhead also began classes Tuesday. Spokesman Doug Hamilton said first-day enrollment figures would be available today.
Concordia College will release spring enrollment numbers next week.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
