This semester saw a huge change for Sacramento State’s enrollment numbers, as it was recently revealed that the university broke its previous 2002 record of 28,558 by nearly 300 students.

According to the Office of Institutional Research’s website, Sac State has seen an increase in its overall enrollment over the past three years, but has not seen an increase in all individual grade levels. As of right now, there are approximately 2,400 first-time freshmen enrolled. That’s a drop of nearly 250 first-time freshmen students from this time last year, according to the website.

Sac State hopes to improve the amount of first-time freshmen by speeding up its acceptance process, expanding outreach efforts to students in Southern California and improving communication between campus officials and potential Sac State students, said Edward Mills, associative vice president for Student Affairs.

“I am very excited about the changes we are making and I’m very optimistic about future increases to our enrollment and the support services we are enhancing to help our students succeed and graduate,” Mills said.

Kena Warrick, a counselor at Folsom High School, said she sees other ways Sac State can help remedy its drop in first-time freshmen students.

“They can promote CSUS Preview Day with four-year-bound students, highlight unique programs at CSUS and stress that Sac State is the best option for students who want to live at home and commute to school,” Warrick said.

Warrick said a lot is already being done at the high school level. She said most high schools aid their college-bound students by providing them with reliable information so they can decide which university or school fits them best.

“When we meet with our students we try to help them assess what post high school options meet their specific needs and goals,” Warrick said.

Warrick recalls a process once implemented by Sac State that could possibly increase the amount of students enrolled.

“CSUS used to have on-site admissions office where a high school senior could bring his or her transcript and be accepted on the spot without having to apply through the usual on-line channel,” Warrick said.

One of the major reasons for a drop in first-time freshmen is an increase in competition in the Sacramento area from both four-year and two-year schools, Mills said.

Sac State faculty members have also noticed an increase in the amount of students enrolled this fall.

“I do know that the overall number of students on campus has increased and that is partly due to enrollment targets set by the chancellor’s office, which wants to see higher enrollments,” said German professor Marjorie Gelus.

This fall, Sac State failed to meet its annual enrollment target of 29,000.

In an e-mail sent to faculty and staff, Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez said the school missed the target by 1 percent.

Jose Martinez can be reached at [email protected].