U of M’s fall enrollment up 3 percent

Includes 36 percent jump in freshmen

The University of Memphis’ overall enrollment is up about 3 percent at the start of this school year — one of only two colleges under the state Board of Regents to show an increase, according to university President M. David Rudd.

In an email to faculty and staff, Rudd highlighted statistics reflecting a 1 percent increase in undergraduate students, and a 4.7 percent increase in graduate program enrollment — a figure Rudd characterized as “remarkable.”

“The positive trajectory is likely the result of several factors,” Rudd wrote to the faculty, “including our 250-mile radius tuition reduction program, more effective marketing and, most importantly, your hard work.”

Rudd, in a meeting with a Memphis City Council committee Tuesday, told city officials that this fall was the first time total university numbers had grown since 2009.

According to the table in Rudd’s correspondence, undergraduate enrollment as of Aug. 24 was 16,204, slightly more than last year’s 16,047.

The number of graduate students increased from 3,924 last year to 4,110.

Rudd said in the email that the school’s freshman class is at 2,747 students this year compared to 2,013 last year, and called the 36 percent growth rate “stunning.”

Of the six schools under the Board of Regents, the only other to increase enrollment was Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, according to Rudd’s email.

In addition to the U of M and Austin Peay, East Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech fall under the oversight of the Board of Regents. Total enrollment at TBR colleges fell by 1.9 percent for undergraduates and 1.2 percent for graduate students, according to Rudd’s email.