The University of Virginia's College at Wise set a goal Friday to enroll at least 2,000 students by the year 2006.
The goal originally was set to coincide with the college's 50th anniversary in 2004, but a need for new faculty and facility expansion necessitated the deadline's postponement.
Enrollment patterns from the past two years give a good indication the college will be able to reach its goal, according to college officials. Enrollment this year reached 1,478, an increase from last year's 1,449 student population.
Marketing efforts last year helped result in a 17 percent increase from last year's freshman class, according to Russell Necessary, director of admission and financial aid. This fall's incoming class is the largest since 1992.
Despite problems securing state funding for the expansion, faculty members are enthusiastic about strategies to attract more incoming students.
A new early admissions program is among the ideas the college is using to attract students. Through the program, students would receive privileges such as early registration, priority housing and early notification about financial aid and scholarships. Revamped recruitment literature, renovation of key academic buildings and more focused recruiting in Virginia high schools are also instrumental in increasing enrollment, Necessary said.
In addition to attracting new students, Dean of Faculty Amelia Harris emphasized the importance of retaining current ones. Efforts are underway to improve retention rates, including the construction of a new student center to facilitate a greater sense of campus life, Harris said.
While many plans are circulating for how to attract 500 additional students, officials are scrambling to find a way to house them. The current residence halls are at an occupancy level of 105 percent. In order to receive state funding for more residences, the college must prove that the occupancy for current dormitories has been at least 96 percent for at least three years after the construction of the newest dormitory.
Because the newest residence hall was built in 2000, it will be at least two more years before the college will be eligible to receive state funding for more residences.
Additional funding is also required for the hiring of new faculty and renovation of academic buildings.
The college is unsure where this funding will come from, though some might come from a capital campaign the school just finished, and another it will probably start next year, Harris said.
Such growth and development in the college jumpstarted two years ago when the University's Board of Visitors and the General Assembly allowed it to drop its former name, Clinch Valley College, in favor of its current one. Necessary said the college is planning its expansion at the right time.
"With the name change, we are poised for this growth," Harris said. "I think the growth is more optimistic than would have been possible with our old name as Clinch Valley College"
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