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MORE FRESHMEN STAY ON AT ASU - RETENTION PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED BRING FRESHMEN BACK IN RECORD NUMBERS

Eugene Scott, The Arizona Republic
February 22, 2006

*Article reprinted with permission from the Arizona Republic.*

Arizona State University enrollment continues to soar, and retention is one of the main reasons.The number of freshmen who returned to ASU for their sophomore year is at an all-time high. Nearly 80 percent of students who were enrolled as freshmen in fall 2004 returned to ASU in fall 2005. Ten years ago, the number was slightly more than 68 percent.

Sarah Auffret, an ASU spokeswoman, said the increase is partially because of the increased attention on retention programs.

"We've been working very hard to increase freshman support programs, like tutoring and getting them more involved with activities and living on campus," she said. "That really makes a difference."

The Valley's overall growth and implementing new, innovative programs at various campuses also contributed to the university growth -- particularly at ASU Polytechnic, Auffret said.

The campus opened 10 years ago this fall and has now passed the 5,000-student mark. Last spring, the number was slightly more than 4,000.

Spring enrollment at ASU Tempe campus is nearly 4 percent higher than last spring. The West campus also saw a 5 percent increase.

By 2017, university officials expect the Tempe campus enrollment to be 50,000 students; ASU West, Polytechnic and Downtown are expected to enroll 15,000 students each.

SU's combined fall enrollment of more than 61,000 students made it the country's largest university.

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