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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland doctor travels to Syria to aid refugees ... Should the city regulate outdoor cigarette smoking? ... Joe Hill 100 Roadshow comes to Phoenix Thursday ... Ashland doctor travels to Syria to aid refugees ... Should the city regulate outdoor cigarette smoking? ... Joe Hill 100 Roadshow comes to Phoenix Thursday ... EDUCATION Enrollment numbers slightly up at SOU Comment By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Nov. 9, 2015 at 2:59 PM Updated Nov 11, 2015 at 7:15 PM By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Nov. 9, 2015 at 2:59 PM Updated Nov 11, 2015 at 7:15 PM » Social News The number of students attending Southern Oregon University this fall term is up just a smidgen — 12 students in all — compared with 2014 numbers. But more significant increases were seen in several student sub-categories, including incoming freshmen. SOU officials reported fall enrollment climbed to 6,215 students for the fall 2015 quarter, two-tenths of a percent up from fall 2014's count of 6,203. But small or not, SOU President Roy Saigo said in a prepared statement that it was a welcome surprise. "Though modest, this increase was achieved while we are operating under a retrenchment plan that projected an enrollment decline this year, so we are thrilled to see enrollment go up for the second year in a row," Saigo said. A key factor in the increase was the number of freshman students in this year's class, university spokesman Ryan Brown said. That number jumped from 713 in fall 2014 to 834 in fall 2015 — an increase of nearly 17 percent. This year's freshman class is the largest in 12 years, university officials said. "It certainly speaks to the hard work of our staff in admissions and recruitment, and our faculty," Brown said. Other student populations to see significant increases include out-of-state students (a 7.4 percent increase to 1,909) and minority students including American Indians, Hispanics and African-Americans (a 7.3 percent increase to 1,287). "Certainly our admissions and recruitment folks are always working to get a mix of students that's beneficial to the university in terms of diversity, out-of-state tuition, (and) in-state tuition," Brown said, adding that the university plans to continue with the same recruiting strategies. SOU also retained 72 percent of its fall 2014 freshman class and 76 percent of all undergraduates. The student body count was projected to decline in part because of SOU's budget balancing plan, called retrenchment, which reduced program majors, minors and staff positions. That plan should be fully implemented by June 30, 2017, Brown said. Programs selected to be cut were targeted mostly because of low enrollment numbers. Majors on the chopping block include French and art history, while the physics program is suspended until further notice. Minors eliminated include professional writing, film techniques and photography. The plan also calls for cutting 13 full-time equivalent faculty positions. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Nov. 9, 2015 at 2:59 PM Updated Nov 11, 2015 at 7:15 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501