Freshmen from nearby counties may be thinking more seriously about coming to The University of Memphis this fall and in future years. With the recent waiver of out-of-state tuition to five nearby Arkansas and Mississippi counties, more students, including incoming freshmen, are expected from those areas.
Although administrators expect some increase this fall, Dr. Tom Nenon, associate vice provost for undergraduate programs, said he expects a larger increase in 2006 and beyond.
“Since the decision was not made until June, most people expect that we’ll see more significant changes in the years that follow instead of this year,” Nenon said.
The new waiver will allow students coming from Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto, Tate, Tunica and Marshall counties in Mississippi to pay in-state tuition beginning this fall.
“I think it (the enrollment increase) will be noticeable, though, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels,” Nenon said.
The recent increase in the amounts paid by the Tennessee Lottery Scholarships is also expected to increase enrollment, he said.
“We think it (the Lottery Scholarship) will have some effect, but I personally don’t think it will be huge,” he said.
A large increase in enrollment would create a need for more teachers, Nenon added.
“If the number of students did increase, then that would provide the resources to create some new positions,” he said. “We’d need to look closely and see what areas are growing and be sure to add those positions where the greatest need is.”
Cara Brockwell, an incoming freshman to The U of M and former student at Marion High School in Crittenden County, said the waiver of out-of-state tuition will help her, but it was not her reason for choosing The U of M.
“I decided to come to Memphis before the waiver was passed,” Brockwell said. “This waiver does help out financially, though. I will be able to go to Memphis much cheaper than I thought I would before.”
Nenon said he sees this waiver as a plus for The University.
“These students and their families are part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and many of them have identified strongly with The University of Memphis all their lives,” he said. “We’re glad that the tuition will no longer be an insurmountable barrier for them to be able to attend the university that is their first choice, and we’re glad it’s The University of Memphis.”
Although Nenon said enrollment has grown and is expected to continue to grow, the main focus at The U of M is on indicators of student success — retention, higher GPA’s, higher graduation rates.”
