Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 02 September 01, 1994 - Summer enrollment increased

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Summer enrollment increased

By Netta S. Eisler

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 2 - September 1, 1994

The Registrar's Office has announced that summer-school enrollment was up this year, with 5,921 students attending first summer session and 4,793 enrolled for second session. Last year, 5,679 attended first session, and 4,691 attended the second session. That's an increase of nearly 350 students.

"One reason the numbers are up from last year is because we're offering more classes," said Steven Wilson, assistant to the university registrar. Another important attraction is a special summer-school fee that discounts regular tuition by 10 percent.

The lower summer fees and wider course offerings are part of a university plan to increase summer-school attendance. As of July 1, responsibility for marketing the summer-school program has been transferred from the Provost's Office to Admissions.

"We will make sure that the campus community is aware that we have discounted tuition in the summer," said David Bousquet, director of Admissions. "We're excited about marketing this program and think there's potential for even more growth."

Erik Verbeek of Long Island, New York, said he came to summer school "to stay on track." This is the second time he has attended summer school at Virginia Tech. The senior mechanical-engineering major had no problem getting into the classes he wanted. "Summer is a good time to take intro-level classes, because they aren't so full," he said.

Tamara Wallace, a senior English major from Williamsburg, came to summer school this year for the first time to "catch up on some classes." She said she liked summer school because, "even though it sometimes gets long, the classes are a little more laid back than regular sessions."

For senior Eric Mountford, an electrical-engineering major from York, Pa., the quicker pace of summer school makes it easier. "With not as many classes, you can concentrate on the subjects more," he said. For Mountford, summer school offered a chance to bring his grades up and to allow him to "get out of school as soon as possible."

Although the lower cost was not a factor in the decision of these three students to attend summer school, they did say they appreciated the price break. All three said they felt the number of courses offered was large enough to allow them to select classes they needed to take.