"Under the leadership of Judge Lenore Prather, the staff and faculty here have worked incredibly hard to turn things around. Of particular significance is the new strong cohort of first-time, full-time freshmen because those students will form the base for our future enrollment numbers," MUW President Claudia A. Limbert said.

The enrollment report also contained other good news. The ratio of full-time to part-time students is up from 2-to1 to 3-to-1, and the number of students living on campus is up 7 percent.

Dr. Bridget Pieschel, head of the Division of Humanities said, "One of the best signs of health in a university is when you can see that core courses are filled with high quality full-time students. It is my observation this semester that more students are taking English, history, foreign language and philosophy courses. Full classes mean happy teachers. We are bursting at the seams."

Faculty Senate President Mark Bean added, "There are a number of positive indicators across campus. This is particularly true with those indicators that are most important. The increases in full-time students and freshman are very good signs."

Overall headcount was down slightly because of the University's decision to discontinue one-hour workshops, attended primarily by non-degree seeking part-time students.