Bowie State University News May 11, 2011 University College, Bowie, Coppin State expected to grow a lot By Eugene W. Goll One eye-catching aspect in the new enrollment projections for the state university system shows considerable growth in the next decade by the University of Maryland University College. Another is represented by the optimistic projections for gains at the system's historically black universities. The finance office of the University System of Maryland released the data to the Board of Regents. The summary indicates that among the 11 degree-granting universities, University College is targeted for growth by 46.6 percent in a decade. University College offers a significant number of online programs, especially to adults, including many from out-of-state. In fall 2010, a system-high 35,577 students enrolled. Estimates are 58,004 will attend in 2020 with 52,238 registered part-time at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The system's historically black institutions are Bowie and Coppin State Universities. The third is the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) which ranks second in expected rate of growth at 41.1 percent. UMES officials expect it to grow from 4,540 students in 2010 to 6,404. According to the summary, the rationale is better prepared students will be admitted who will remain at UMES through to graduation. The summary refers to officials boosting their annual enrollment projections system-wide, based on heightened student retention. This includes adjusting the system's graduation rate upward to 55 percent. The summary shows the entire system going from 152,581 to 188,497 students over the decade resulting in a 23.5 percent gain. The third largest comparative gain is expected to be Bowie State's 35.6 percent. This year's 5,578 will grow to 7,564 by 2020. The University of Baltimore is next in relative growth. It recently opened its doors to freshmen and sophomore students and is anticipating growth of 32.8 percent to 8,635 students in a decade. At the lower end of the scale is Frostburg State University in Western Maryland that has in recent years undergone some difficulty attracting students. Campus officials predict it will grow by 2.5 percent to a 2020 count of 5,606. At 7.4 percent to 40,445 students, the University of Maryland, College Park should enjoy the next lowest comparative gain. Also included among modest growth institutions is the University of Maryland at Baltimore, which hosts many professional schools, with 8.0 percent to reach 6,860 students. Salisbury University with its 13.2 percent rate of gain would grow to 9,503 students. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.